The cost and difficulty of attacking global warming in the United States might not be nearly as great as predicted, according to a new study released Wednesday by five Energy Department laboratories. The study argues that with the right combination of research, incentives and government rules, the effort to slow global warming doesn't have to cost consumers anything, and it could lead to an economic benefit in the long run. The study is the largest and most comprehensive look at how the United States might employ policy changes and technology to reduce emissions of the gases thought to cause global warming. The Earth has been warming gradually since the late 1800s.
Many scientists attribute the rise to increased emissions of gases that trap heat.
The most common is carbon dioxide, which is created by burning fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal. Experts say global warming eventually could lead to a disastrous rise in sea levels and to weather changes. The new report says a program that includes measures such as spending more money on research and setting strict energy-efficiency standards would cause significant drops in carbon dioxide emissions. Many critics in industry and Congress have said such a move would devastate the U.S. economy. But the report says the price of meeting the Kyoto treaty's goals are not as high as past research has shown.