Climate change on slow track

Kansas City Star: The Bush administration finally took a positive step on global warming by agreeing to work toward a new international climate treaty. Yet there are disturbing signs that the administration will continue to frustrate progress on the home front toward that goal.

The frustrations also come at the state level of government.

After embarrassing scoldings by other countries at the Bali conference on climate change, the United States eventually joined the international agreement. American negotiators committed to nothing more than to talk with other countries. But their decision sets the stage for U.S. involvement in constructive steps to reduce fossil-fuel emissions at the next international gathering in Copenhagen in 2009.

At that point, the United States will have a different president. That gives Americans concerned about global warming — with problems such as flooding, famine and species losses — some hope that this country will join others in adopting solutions.

Greenhouse gases

The Copenhagen treaty will replace the Kyoto Protocol, which the United States did not join. Kyoto, aimed at reducing greenhouse gases, expires in 2012.

The Bush administration continues its foot-dragging at home: The Environmental Protection Agency recently denied 17 states, including California, the right to set stricter regulations on automobile pollution.

In Missouri, Gov. Matt Blunt has disappointed on the issue. He recently refused to sign significant parts of the Midwestern Governors Association’s energy pact to improve production of electricity from renewable sources and set stricter requirements on coal-fired power plants.

States must be involved in curbing carbon dioxide emissions and thus the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

Cities, too, have a role. More than 20 area mayors have signed an agreement to encourage action by local governments.