Senate Opposes Global Warming Treaty
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WASHINGTON — Senators worried that an upcoming treaty on global warming would economically damage the United States voted, 95-0, Friday to urge the government not to sign it.
In debate on their nonbinding resolution, the senators complained that about 130 developing nations--including China, India, Mexico and South Korea--would not be required to limit air pollution by the pact.
“I do not think the Senate should support a treaty that requires only half of the world--in other words, the developed countries--to endure the economic cost of reducing emissions while developing countries are free to pollute the atmosphere, and in so doing, siphon off American industries,” Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W. Va.) said.
Sen. Charles Hagel (R-Neb.), coauthor of the resolution, said, “It’s the developing nations that will be the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases during the next 25 years. It is complete folly to exclude them from legally binding emissions mandates.”
The treaty is being negotiated for signing in Japan in December.
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