US backs its global warming record

NAIROBI -- The United States, the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, staunchly defended its record on battling global warming yesterday as the UN chief lamented what he called a "frightening lack" of international leadership on climate change.

"The United States is committed to addressing the serious global challenge of climate change," said Paula J. Dobriansky, a US undersecretary of state and head of the American delegation to the UN climate conference in Nairobi.

The two-week meeting, entering its final three days, has been working on technical issues involving the Kyoto Protocol, which obliges 35 industrial nations to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

The United States and Australia are the only major industrialized countries to reject Kyoto. President Bush has said it would harm the US economy and it should have required cutbacks in poorer nations as well.

Dobriansky stressed US efforts to develop clean-energy technology in partnership with other countries, saying "we must act in ways that encourage economic growth."

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told the conference earlier in the day that those who would deny global warming or delay taking action against it are "out of step" and "out of time."

"Let no one say we cannot afford to act," Annan declared, in a clear reference to those, such as the Bush administration, who say reducing global warming gases would set back economies.

He referred to a recent British government report projecting that unimpeded global warming -- with its predicted rising seas, droughts, and other climate disruptions -- could cost between 5 percent and 20 percent of global gross domestic product each year.

"It is increasingly clear it will cost far less to cut emissions now than to deal with the consequences later," Annan said.

He also noted "a frightening lack of leadership" in fashioning the next steps to reduce global emissions. "I would want leaders around the world to really show courage and to know that if they do, their people and the voters will be with them," he told reporters after his speech.

Asked about Annan's criticism of international leadership on climate, Dobriansky replied, "We think the United States has been leading with its groundbreaking initiatives" that take into account the economy and sustainable development.