Environmental groups and some lawmakers say that President Bush did not go far enough in calling for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions at a Sept. 28 international climate summit in Washington, D.C. Although Bush recommended a “long-term goal” for reducing greenhouse gases, he did not go as far as endorsing a mandatory cap on emissions.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) says the U.S. will lack the ability to negotiate any climate agreements “unless it can come up with a credible plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions domestically.” David Doniger, policy director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Climate Center, says Bush “let the moment go by without making any change in his dogged refusal to cap and reduce America’s global warming solution.”
Bush stressed policies that rely on renewable sources and innovative technologies to achieve the reductions. Energy Dept. Assistant Secretary Karen Harbert noted that some of the policies already are having a positive effect.
