Bush must provide alternative to Kyoto

It was all very well for U.S. President George W. Bush to object to the Kyoto protocol on global warming. In that, he was not alone. The protocol was widely debated, often criticized and even deeply divisive. But by discarding the document, Bush now has assumed a heavy responsibility. He must come up with a clear and convincing alternative, quickly.

The Kyoto protocol was the result of extremely hard work and political compromise. Its origin was the 1992 United Nations Frame work Convention on Climate Change. That treaty was not only signed by then-president George Bush Senior but ratified by the U.S. Senate into international law. The Convention committed the United States and all other countries to lower greenhouse gases.

It specifically obliged developed countries to lead the effort, and to bear the political, economic and cash costs.

That was, and is, fair. No nation emits more greenhouse gases than the United States. The Kyoto protocol committed developed countries to cutting greenhouse gases by 5.5 percent in 10 years, a tiny but hugely symbolic reversal of current trends.

The rich and privileged have a special responsibility to pay back their communities and help the less developed. That includes the United States, the leader of the world community. The Kyoto protocol, probably now dead if not quite buried, outlined how the world would proceed to fight greenhouse gases. This is not a do- gooder project, but a matter of the greatest global concern. The world is warming, partly or wholly because humans are making it warmer.

Of all the objections against this imperfect, highly political paper, Bush's were perhaps the worst.

The U.S. economy is faltering, he says, and there is a shortage of U.S. energy. He appeared entirely unaware that the anti-warming efforts will span more than a century, and cover dozens or hundreds of economic cycles in more than 200 nations.

Bush is not a lone voice in criticizing the document.

The point was that until last week the Kyoto protocol provided a talking point. Now, despite a brave face by European ministers, the battle to halt the build up of greenhouse gases has returned to the starting line.

Bush has come dangerously close to snubbing the rest of the world. He owes a special effort to recover quickly.

-- The Bangkok Post, Thailand