-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Kyoto Agreement, The Administration and recent news
Resent-From: cr.climate@...
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 12:56:04 -0600
From: Doug Kluck <doug.kluck@...>
To: _NWS CR Climate <cr.climate@...>, _NWS CR SOO
<cr.soo@...>, _NWS CR MIC/HIC <cr.mic@...>, Mike Looney
<Mike.Looney@...>
References: <42136E64.590A4785@...>

All,

Last week I sent the message below this one and promised a contact at
HQ for our questions concerning global warming etc... I received the
names of a couple of people. This is not the final word but a stop gap
for the moment. Below is the guidance I received:

"In the mean time, if there are questions that require immediate
answers, contact Kent Laborde (the climate lead in Public Affairs -
202-482-5757). But keep in mind that these folks are in the Public
Affairs Office downtown and most likely will not be able to answer
technical or science-related questions.

I would also ask the Regions to accumulate specific topics that the
field offices are receiving with respect to Climate Change and send
to me as soon as possible. That way we can make sure these items are
specifically addressed in the referral tool."

Doug


Doug Kluck wrote:

All,
This story came out today on the Kyoto Agreement. It contains general
information:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?
tmpl=story&cid=514&e=12&u=/ap/20050216/ap_on_re_as/kyoto_protocol_16

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I also received this from HQ for dissemination for interested
parties.

As many of you know, the Kyoto Protocol goes into effect this week
for participating countries.

Please find attached a set of talking points that describes in detail
the Administration's position, as well as the various programs the
Administration is implementing to address climate change. Our approach
contains wide variety of domestic and international programs. Please
feel free to direct people to the White House Fact Sheet on Global
Climate Change located at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/09/20030930-11.html.

Note that the FY05 budget numbers in the points and fact sheet
obviously do not reflect the current FY06 request. The FY06 climate
change crosscut is not yet available, but the FY06 request includes
approximately $1.9 billion for the Climate Change Science Program
across 13 agencies. The Budget continues to support the goals outlined
in the Climate Change Science Program Strategic Plan, released in July
2003.

General Talking Points on Kyoto:

Ø The basic arguments against U.S. ratification of the Kyoto Protocol
("Kyoto") are widely shared, and reflected in the 95–0 vote on the
1997 Senate resolution opposing the approach of the Kyoto framework.

Ø The treaty did not require emissions cuts by the world's developing
countries, a number of which will experience rapid growth in coming
decades, accompanied by exponentially growing greenhouse emissions –
including China, India, Mexico, South Korea, Indonesia and Brazil.

Ø With lower energy efficiency and productivity rates in many of
these countries, it is likely that global greenhouse gas emissions
would actually increase under Kyoto, as would traditional air
pollution. Any associated decline in U.S. greenhouse gas
emissions would be offset by a corresponding increase in the
other countries.

ØImplementation of the Kyoto Protocol in the U.S. would force higher
energy costs on hard-working American families and businesses.
Analysis by the independent Energy

Information Administration indicates that U.S. implementation of
Kyoto would have resulted in the loss of as much as $397 billion in
U.S. GDP annually, and up to 4.9 million lost American jobs, of which
many would be exported overseas to developing countries with lower
environmental standards, damaging U.S. economic competitiveness.

ØThe Bush Administration is actively engaged internationally in a
wide variety of partnerships to address global climate change. Once
such program is the Methane to Markets Partnership, which currently
includes 13 member nations and will reduce global methane emissions to
enhance economic growth, promote energy security, improve the
environment, and reduce greenhouse gases.

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This is the official Administration's position. You will receive a
name of a contact, hopefully later today, to direct public inquiry.

Doug

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