Climate Change Debate Hinges On Economics - washingtonpost.com

Climate Change Debate Hinges On Economics - washingtonpost.com:

"Despite growing public concern over global warming, the House has failed to agree on new standards for automobile fuel efficiency, and the Senate has done little to boost the efficiency of commercial office buildings and appliances. In September, Congress is expected to start wrestling with more ambitious legislation aimed at slowing climate change; but because of the complexity of the likely proposals, few expect any bill to become law. Even if passed by Congress and signed by President Bush, the final measure may not be tough enough to slow global warming.

'I don't think there's any question that what is being talked about now would, over the long term, be insufficient,' said Philip Sharp, president of the think tank Resources for the Future and a former House member. 'The issue is: Will Congress get in place a larger architecture that sends a signal to the economy that accelerates change?'"

Comment: Preventive care is a lot less expensive than remedial care, and a lot less painful in the long run than just awaiting for the crisis and the pain it represents.

I don't think five percent of the people should create one-third of the pollution as those of us in the U.S.A. do today, or even 19 percent as we are projected to do in the not too distant future as the Chinese and Indians pollute more. We should start to abate greenhouse gas emissions now, and lead in conservation efforts from a position of strength. JAD