Industry fears just the opposite. Manufacturers worry that President Clinton may decide to impose strict measures to cut emissions. Such measures, many argue, would hobble U.S. industry just when developing countries like India and China are making the global economy more competitive than ever. The heat will only increase before an international conference in Kyoto, Japan, scheduled for Dec. 1-10. The goal of the meeting, to which officials from 150 countries have been invited, is the negotiation of a treaty that commits industrialized countries to reducing greenhouse emissions.
Many scientists believe a catastrophe is in the making.
The Union issued a statement signed by 1,500 scientists from 60 countries urging action. Not everyone is convinced. Earlier this year, the Senate voted 95-0 to urge the White House not to commit to cutting emissions unless developing nations like China agree to do the same. But today Europe issued its most forceful warning that it expects the United States to commit to reduce its emissions at the Kyoto conference. The United States should come forward with a constructive and ambitious position on emissions reductions.