Kyoto climate rules sap economic strength.

• Position: Global Warning - Brief Article

The U.S. and Australia were wise to refuse to ratify the fatally flawed and potentially disastrous Kyoto Protocol climate treaty--which entered into force in February--declares the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Washington, D.C. The United Nations' Kyoto Protocol requires 35 industrialized nations to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by an average of five percent below 1990 levels by 2008 to 2012. Full compliance will have no measurable effect on future temperatures, say scientists who nonetheless support the treaty.

"The Kyoto Protocol has been sold as a first step in addressing climate change, but it is a step in the wrong direction. The costs of the policies required by Kyoto will far outweigh any potential benefits," insists Director of Global Warming and International Environmental Policy Myron Ebell. "President Bush and Prime Minister [John] Howard are to be congratulated for leading the way to a brighter future based on technological innovation.

"In the European Union, Japan, and...