Clearly, any international agreement that does not include the full participation of developing countries is doomed to failure, environmentally and economically. Without inclusion of developing countries in the Kyoto Protocol, we will not solve the environmental problems, and the U.S. economy will be at a disadvantage. The technologies that are now being developed will make a difference in the future. The Administration has steadfastly declined to release credible estimates of the Kyoto Protocol s impact on the U.S. economy. Nevertheless, studies have continually shown that if it is implemented, the Protocol would raise energy costs substantially, with significant losses in GDP, global competitiveness, jobs and disposable personal income.
Small businesses support the continued improvement of the environment.
But the Kyoto Protocol is biased against U.S. firms and will be extremely detrimental to the small business community. As you know, SBSC is joined by numerous concerned interests in believing this treaty will cause unfair, unnecessary and unprecedented harm to the U.S. economy, while nonparticipating nations avoid any similar commitments to address this still theoretical environmental danger. If ratified by the Senate, Kyoto would require reduced emissions from energy use of up to 40 percent from projected levels in a mere 10 years. Copyright 2000 Global Climate Coalition, All rights reserved.