Global Warming
The global warming debate shifts to Europe as U.S. President George W. Bush offered a strengthened U.S. commitment to the issue on the eve of his first trip to the continent. Asian and European nations have strongly criticized Bush over his decision to abandon a 1997 treaty on global warming.
Bush says the Kyoto Protocol, which commits 37 industrialized nations to cut gas emissions, sets unrealistic goals and could damage the U.S. economy. But other nations worry about scientific concerns that climate change could lead to severe floods and droughts, rising sea levels and an increase in malaria and respiratory disease.
The global warming issue is expected to be on the agenda as Bush meets with European heads of state this week. The protocol itself will not be put in place until targets are agreed by the major contributors of gas emissions.
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