A Turning Point On Climate Policy

It probably wasn''t because he loved the movie featuring his former rival Al Gore, but President Bush has of late been taking more substantial steps on climate change policy. Analysts point to a set of factors – from the Supreme Court''s landmark decision that the federal government has the right and responsibility to regulate greenhouse gas pollution, to the record-high price of gasoline at the pump – in explaining why Bush stepped to the podium this week and set in motion his plan to reduce gasoline usage by 20 percent in 10 years. That isn''t to say critics are satisfied. Most activists trying to inspire action to avoid the worst consequences of climate change say the latest Bush proposal falls short. With the pressure mounting, no politician will be able to get away with being soft on greenhouse gases, according to a story in the May 17 Christian Science Monitor.