Dear Mr. Colombo:
Thank you for contacting me regarding efforts to mitigate the impact of greenhouse gas emissions to reduce global warming.
In 1992, the United States signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with 153 other countries. The Framework Convention sought to stabilize greenhouse gases at 1990 levels by 2000 through nonbinding agreements among its parties. Due to the voluntary nature of the agreement, few nations will meet its goals. To rectify this situation, the United States will participate in another UN conference in December, 1997, in Kyoto, Japan, where the parties will negotiate an international treaty to reduce greenhouse emissions. Greenhouse emissions have been shown to trap heat in the earth's atmosphere, resulting in global warming.
As a United States Senator, I support efforts to improve the quality of our world's environment. Nothing is more important than having unpolluted air for our children to breathe. However, I do not believe that our nation's economy should fall victim to stringent and unrealistic standards. To this end, I have cosponsored a resolution offered by my colleagues, Senatores Byrd and Hagel, to recommend that any agreement reached impose additional legal commitments on nations with developing economies. Senate Resolution 98 stipulates further that such a treaty should not adversely affect the American economy and imposes information requirements for the treaty's transmittal documents prior to the Senate's consideration of such a treaty. The resolution passed the Senate by a vote of 95-0.
I appreciate having the benefit of your views on this issue.
Best Regards,
Sincerely,
John Glenn
United States Senator
JG:sw
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