U.S. President George W. Bush yesterday presented the first detailed description of his plan for combating global warming, proposing a significant shift in direction from government-imposed targets to lower carbon emissions to a gradual cut through voluntary efforts and market forces (Eric Pianin, Washington Post, Feb. 15).

Acknowledging the serious threat of global warming, Bush said mandatory limits under the Kyoto Protocol would lead to a loss of $400 billion in industry and 4.9 million U.S. jobs.  The Kyoto agreement "would have required the United States to make deep and immediate cuts in our economy to meet an arbitrary target," he said (Bill Sammon, Washington Times, Feb. 15).  He added that this money would be better spent on research, new technology and tax incentives.  "I will not commit our nation to an unsound international treaty that will throw millions of our citizens out of work," Bush said in a speech at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

The president's plan would allow the United States to continue emitting greenhouse gases at its current rate, the Washington Post reports, but offers $4.6 billion in incentives and tax credits over the next five years to encourage research and voluntary reductions.  Bush said he is also committed to cutting the country's greenhouse gas intensity -- the rate of emission per unit of economic activity -- by 18 percent over the same time period by providing utilities with incentives to build power-generating windmills or other renewable energy sources.  New tax credits would also be offered to consumers for buying solar panels or more efficient cars.

Bush added he would take "the most significant step America has ever taken" to cut power plant emissions of other pollutants -- including nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and mercury -- by two-thirds to three-quarters during the next decade (Pianin, Washington Post).  He said his plan recognizes that industry can coexist with a clean environment and that a growing economy actually helps curb air pollution.  "Economic growth is key to environmental progress," he said, "because it is growth that provides the resources for investment."

"Instead of the government telling utilities where and how to cut pollution, we will tell them when and how much to cut," Bush said.  "We will give them a firm deadline and let them find the most innovative ways to meet it" (David Greene, Baltimore Sun, Feb. 15). 

U.S. Senator James Jeffords, chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, criticized Bush's plan, saying, "Unfortunately, real carbon reductions appear to have completely fallen off the table in this climate policy" (Eric Pianin, Washington Post).  "All we're getting are some crumbs," Jeffords added (Greene, Baltimore Sun).

In addition, Democratic Senator John Kerry accused Bush of trying to "use our economy as an excuse for inaction.  Bush has offered the nation an environmental policy that is all procrastination and no progress.  It may well lead to more pollution, not less" (Sammon, Washington Times).

Bush's Plan Garners Mixed International Reaction

Bush's plan has raised mixed reactions from governments and environmental groups.  Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi welcomed the proposal, saying this is a sign of serious intent to address climate change.  She added, however, that Tokyo will continue to lobby Washington to accept the Kyoto agreement.

German Environment Minister Juergen Trittin said Bush's plan is unlikely to lead to cuts in emissions. "Because of its nonbinding character, one can hardly expect the program to significantly lower the already high U.S. emissions, if at all."

French Environment Minister Yves Cochet called on the European Union to oppose Bush's plans and urged him to ratify the Kyoto Protocol instead.  China called on Washington to take the lead in cutting greenhouse gases.  "Developed countries have the duty to take the lead in taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emission, because historically and at present, they are the main emitters of greenhouse gas," a Foreign Ministry statement said (BBC Online, Feb. 15).

Canadian Environment Minister David Anderson yesterday welcomed Bush's plan, saying Canada will benefit from the new U.S. emphasis on clean energy.  He said his country remains committed to the Kyoto treaty and that the decision to ratify would be made this year (Globe and Mail, Feb. 15).  Australian Prime Minister John Howard called Bush's plan "a very positive thing," although he said he remains firmly against ratifying the treaty unless the United States also does so (Associated Press/Kuala Lumpur Star, Feb. 15).

Greenpeace, meanwhile, criticized Bush's plan.  "It's been written, paid for and delivered by Exxon," said spokesman Steve Sawyer.  "All it does is limit the rate of (U.S. emissions) growth."  The Sierra Club called Bush's plan "a Valentine's Day gift to corporate polluters.  The Bush administration is sticking to the polluting polices that the energy industry asked for, rather than taking the sensible steps that can protect our health," said Carl Pope, the group's executive director (Reuters/South China Morning Post, Feb. 15).

The World Resources Institute says Bush's plan will actually increase greenhouse gas emissions by 14 percent.  "The plan will only succeed in confusing the American people, and our allies overseas, with misleading statistics," said Nancy Kete, director of the institute's Climate, Energy and Pollution Program.  "What the president called an aggressive new strategy for the next 10 years is really warmed-over business as usual. ... So there's nothing really new or bold about this strategy. ... The administration had a golden opportunity to set out a coherent plan showing how America would set about fighting global warming.  Unfortunately, it failed to do so" (World Resources Institute release/Environmental News Network, Feb. 14).