To sign or not to sign — that was the question facing U.S. legislators regarding the Kyoto Protocol. This treaty to limit greenhouse gases was ratified by the largest developed and most developing nations. Since the United States accounts for one-quarter of the world’s emissions, our absence among the signatories was conspicuous. Senator Joe Lieberman (D - Conn.) and Senator Richard Lugar (R - Ind.) disagreed on Kyoto. Senator Lugar believes signing the treaty would have been economically irresponsible since it exempts fast-growing nations like China and India from reducing emissions. Senator Lieberman believes not signing was a mistake because it undermines the leadership needed to combat global warming.
Both men agree on one thing: as a nation, we must urgently address the problems with which Kyoto deals. Senator Lieberman, along with Senator John McCain (R - Ariz.), has proposed the Climate Stewardship Act. They consider it a moderate way for the United States to move forward on global warming. Senator Lugar promotes biofuels which substantially reduce CO2 emissions. All three senators believe the United States must mount a massive effort to develop clean coal-burning technologies.
Richard Morgenstern, a policy advocate, underscores the need for urgency. He says it’s time to stop arguing over whose plan will work the best and start getting real world data. Since we learn best from doing, and not talking, let’s show how the trading of CO2 credits works. We need to find ways to burn fossil fuels better and also find new fuels. We don’t have time to waste.
