08 Climate Bill is a Long Shot

Despite momentum building for action to counteract global warming, the U.S. Congress is unlikely to pass a greenhouse gas regulation this year, according to an Los Angeles Times analysis.

With Bush likely to veto such a bill, and Congress only narrowly in Democratic control, the emergence of a compromise bill with broad support is unlikely.

Many Democrats see the bill moving through Congress, the Lieberman-Warner bill, would cut emissions of greenhouse gases by about 60% below 2005 levels by 2050. That would not jump the hurdle set by many scientists working with the United Nations, who have indicated an 80% reduction below 1990 levels may be needed to stabilize the climate and avoid some of the more catastrophic consequences of global warming.

Democrats who support that level of reduction see more hope next year, provided they win the White House (both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton back the 80% below 1990 goal) and hold on to control of Congress.

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