Volume 3, issue #1 - 07-01-1998

Nov. 24, 1997 The threat of global warming has brought more than 140 governments together in intensive negotiations to try to limit the emissions of carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse gases" that trap heat in the atmosphere.
- But history, geography, economics and politics are driving them apart.
- Island states fear the rising oceans that warming may cause. Oil producers fear what lessening the world's dependence on fossil fuels would mean to them. Big industrial nations worry that emissions limits might slow their economies. Poorer nations say they should not have to bear the same burdens as the rich.
- The talks enter a final round Dec. 1 in Kyoto, Japan. A look by Associated Press correspondents at the divergent positions of five nations shows the range of interests at stake in the debate.
- NEW YORK _ The United States, land of big automobiles, air conditioners and coal, is by far the leading emitter of greenhouse gases. The amount of carbon dioxide poured into the atmosphere per American _ about 19 tons a year _ is twice the per-capita rate in such advanced nations as Germany and Japan.
- The world wants Washington to lead the way in controlling emissions. But President Clinton's proposal, for industrial nations to lower greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012, has disappointed many. It falls short of other plans to cut emissions well below 1990 levels by 2010, or even 2005.
- American negotiators say their target would still mean a major sacrifice, holding U.S. emissions to at least 25 % below what they otherwise would be in 2010. Clinton proposes achieving the savings by encouraging energy efficiency and new technology through tax breaks and other incentives.
- Much of U.S. industry opposes controls. And Clinton faces resistance in the U.S. Senate, which warns it will reject any new treaty commitments that do not also cover China and other developing nations, which have been exempted thus far from the cutback plans.
- Clinton's insistence that these poorer nations "meaningfully participate" promises to be a key point of contention at Kyoto.
- TOKYO _ When it comes to the struggle against global warming, Japan sees the rest of the world as latecomers to a noble cause. That may help explain why it is reluctant now to commit to major new energy cutbacks.
- The oil crises of the 1970s stunned the Japanese, who import more than 80 % of their energy needs, forcing them to find ways to use oil and other greenhouse gas fuels more efficiently.
- The government also embarked on a huge program to build nuclear plants, which now account for more than 30 % of Japan's power generating capacity. It hopes to increase that to 42 % by 2010, despite growing public resistance.
- The world's No. 2 economy today emits the fourth-largest volume of carbon dioxide among the world's nations.
- Its recent history of energy efficiency may be one reason Japan's proposal for a global program to forestall warming is one of the least ambitious presented for the Kyoto conference. Other reasons: Japanese industry is sceptical, its environmental groups are weak, and its rising living standards, with more and bigger cars, air conditioners and other appliances, make it harder to control greenhouse gas emissions.
- LONDON _ Once known for a daily blanket of sooty smog, Britain has cast itself as a leader in the drive to cut the carbon gas emissions blamed for global warming.
- "This is something that the world has to act upon," said Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has set challenging goals for British greenhouse gas emissions and has pressed Washington to follow suit.
- Britain, whose cities are still scarred by the blight of the Industrial Revolution it led, has slashed emissions of carbon dioxide since 1960, largely by turning from coal to natural gas as an energy source for power and heating. Blair has pledged that if a global agreement can be reached at Kyoto, Britain will reduce emissions further by 20 % below 1990 levels, as part of a European Union-wide plan for an overall 15 % reduction by 2010.
- The government plans to achieve this through energy efficiencies in homes, factories and electrical generation, including greater use of wind power. In another sector, transportation, environmentalists want Blair to bolster the crumbling system of railways and buses to stem the growing use of automobiles.
- Under the EU "bubble" plan, Britain's ambitious goals would balance off other nations' lesser accomplishments. Italy's target, for example, is a 7 % reduction below 1990 levels by 2010.
- BEIJING _ No country highlights the developing world's struggle with global warming more vividly than China.
- The Chinese have become the world's No. 2 producers of carbon dioxide, shovelling abundant coal supplies into inefficient power plants to drive rapid economic growth. They are spending billions on non-polluting energy supplies, but say they cannot afford to sign a commitment to reduce their output of atmosphere-warming carbon dioxide.
- China produced 2.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide in 1992, the latest year for which statistics are available. On a per-capita basis, that was less than one-eighth the U.S. level.
- China also illustrates the disastrous cost of the kind of environmental change that scientists fear global warming may cause. Unusually severe summer flooding in recent years caused major damage, and prolonged drought this year devastated grain harvests.
- Environmentalists say China aggravates the problem by subsidising supplies of coal and oil, reducing pressure for fuel efficiency. But the government also plans dozens of hydroelectric projects and nuclear plants - power sources that are free of greenhouse emissions.
- China and other developing nations cling to a principle universally accepted early in the talks on a global warming treaty: The industrial world must first begin cutting back its emissions before poorer nations consider reining in theirs.
- "China strongly opposes restrictive obligations on developing countries. However, that does not mean China believes in unlimited greenhouse gas emissions," said Tang Guoqiang, a Foreign Ministry spokesman.
- SYDNEY, Australia _ A relatively small contributor to greenhouse gases, Australia nevertheless may be the world's most strident opponent of binding targets for emission reductions. The reason: coal.
- Coal is both Australia's richest export and the biggest source of heat-trapping carbon dioxide among the fossil fuels.
- The Australian government says demand for coal in the developing Asia-Pacific region will double by 2010. If the energy projects go ahead, it would mean 90,000 new jobs for Australians. But if new treaty commitments sink those coal-power plants, it could shave 1 % from Australia's gross domestic product.
- "The adoption of a uniform reduction target at the Kyoto conference would have a devastating impact on Australian industry and its ability to create jobs," said Environment Minister Robert Hill.
- The government says binding targets also would curb growth in its iron and steel, chemical and aluminium industries and might push them offshore into developing nations not subject to the same greenhouse gas obligations as Australia.
- The Australians argue for "differentiation" _ different emission targets for each country based on its circumstances.