Daily News Archive
From
June 12, 2001
Bush Still Opposes Kyoto Pact
A New York Times article today reported that Mr. Bush has no intention of reversing his stance the global warming accord supported by the European leaders he will meet with this week. He stated that the 1997 Kyoto accord sets no standards for major emitters of greenhouse gases, like China and India, while creating mandates for the U.S. that could prove economically crippling.
Bush publicly embraced a report by the National Academy of Sciences that concluded that temperatures are rising because of human activities and argued that the market should be allowed to solve the problem, stating that the U.S. would "lead the way by advancing the science on climate change," and push along research "consistent with the long-term goal of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere."
"We account for almost 20 percent of the man-made greenhouse emissions," Bush said. "We also account for about one-quarter of the world's economic output. We recognize our responsibility to reduce our emissions."
He added that, "we also have to recognize the other part of the story," saying that the targets in the Kyoto treaty would "have negative economic impact, with layoffs of workers and price increases for consumers." Aides of Mr. Bush argued that the Kyoto accord was written to make it easier for Europe than the U.S. to meet the goals.
Bush offered no real
alternatives to the Kyoto cutbacks beyond research and the gradual application
of new technology.