THE US will cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2020. That is the idea, at least. After weeks of delay, a climate-change bill has finally been introduced into the Senate.
It will face stiff opposition. Most Republicans are almost certain to vote against the bill, citing concern for US industry. Even some with a track record of action on climate change are opposed: former presidential candidate John McCain told Reuters that he would 鈥渘ever, never, never鈥� vote for the bill. Dissent also comes from Democrats representing coal-rich or farming states.
Debates are scheduled for later this month, leaving little decision time before the crucial climate summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December. 鈥淚t is very important to get a vote before December,鈥� says Jennifer Morgan, climate and energy programme director at the World Resources Institute in Washington DC. 鈥淚t would give credibility to the US delegation at the talks.鈥�
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