http://www.opendemocracy.net/global_deal/news_from_elsewhere Comments for "News from elsewhere, David Steven " en http://www.opendemocracy.net/global_deal/news_from_elsewhere <p> US domestic politics is an ever-present influence here in Bali. Every delegation - whether or not it approves of current Bush administration climate policy - is inevitably looking towards 2009 when a new President will take office. </p> <p> A harbinger of change is a flurry of activity in the US Congress and Senate. Late last night, the Lieberman-Warner climate change bill <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKN058916420071206?sp=true">finally</a> made it out of a Senate committee, and is now headed for a full debate on the floor. </p> <p> The bill&#39;s supporters are jubilant. John Warner, a Republican and one of two co-sponsors, believes that it is time for the US to take a leadership role on the issue. &quot;If we don&#39;t act, China and India will simply hide behind America&#39;s skirts of inaction,&quot; he says. </p> <p> Barbara Boxer, meanwhile, chair of the Senate&#39;s environmental committee, <a href="http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/12/5/17102/0989">described</a> the proposed legislation as ‘the most far reaching global warming bill in the world.&#39; For detailed coverage of the bill, and what it means, Brian Beutler <a href="http://gristmill.grist.org/user/Brian%20Beutler">has the goodies</a>. </p> <p> While the US delegation seemed a little unsure of how to respond to the news, Yvo de Boer, UNFCCC executive secretary, appeared delighted by what he described the mandatory cuts it contains as a ‘very encouraging sign.&#39; </p> I&#39;ll be covering this issue in more detail as an army of US senators and representatives descends on Bali next week...<br /> http://www.opendemocracy.net/global_deal/news_from_elsewhere#comment climate change David Steven Global Deal Global Deal global warming us Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:06:27 +0000 David Steven 35270 at http://www.opendemocracy.net