11.01.2006

US reacts to UK climate change report

The US insisted it was committed to protecting the environment, finally giving an official response to questions raised by a British report that warned global warming could devastate the world economy.

By ignoring the problem, the Stern Report released on Monday said, rising sea levels, heavier floods and more intense droughts could displace 200 million people by the middle of the century.

The US is by far the biggest emitter of gases blamed for global warming, yet President George Bush has kept his country out of the Kyoto international treaty to reduce greenhouse gases, saying the pact would harm the US economy.

Responding to questions about the report, White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters that Mr Bush “has, in fact, contrary to stereotype, been actively engaged in trying to fight climate change and will continue to do so”.


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