ADMINISTRATION DEFENDS CLIMATE POLICY
30 November 2003

The Bush administration has issued a trenchant defense of its policies on climate change and environmental regulation. Since rejecting the Kyoto Protocol, the administration has faced sharp criticism around the world for ignoring a problem that affects all people everywhere. The US is responsible for 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and is viewed by many as the deciding component in any treaty to reduce contaminants. Between 1990 and 2001, US carbon dioxide emissions increased by 13%, a total increase greater than the combined increases in China, India and all of Africa. [See EcoIQ]

The US administration defends its policies, saying they will help produce more effective technologies which will reduce emissions, and that businesses will voluntarily adopt these new technologies for their efficiency. The World Resources Institute says the specific policies put in place by the administration will actually increase emissions by 14% by 2012. Bush's policies have led to moderate senators McCain and Lieberman proposing mandatory emissions limits in the Senate. Though the bill received substantial support, it was defeated 55-43, a defeat celebrated by James Inhofe, who referred to global warming as "a hoax".

Government officials from around the world will be meeting in Milan to discuss how to revive and sustain the discussion on international treaties to protect against climate change. [For more: Financial Times]