Global Warming: ‘Let’s Lead the World’

* “More Than Just Hot Words” (editorial, Nov. 27) argues, “Legislators in Congress were right to restrain Clinton administration delegates from agreeing to the reductions the European Union wanted. Because of the full-bore growth of the economy in recent years, the United States would have had to slash its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% from current levels just to meet an agreement it made in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan.”

Do you mean to suggest that members of the European Union actually expect the U.S. to honor its agreements? What arrogance!

TOM GORMAN

Pasadena

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* I’m heartened by the resolve of our negotiator to put American interests first. It’s a vivid demonstration to the rest of the world how an efficient, market-based economy can surmount all obstacles in its path, even little glitches like global warming. Better to save a sure job than risk losing a shaky planet. To those naysayers who begrudgingly accuse us of sticking our heads in the sand, we can rest comfortable, knowing it’ll soon be warm sand.

GERALD SCHAEFER

Lakewood

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* The U.S., the most influential opponent of the Kyoto Protocol, is also the primary emitter of greenhouse gases (25%) and the primary benefactor of these emissions. The main argument raised is that if the U.S. agrees to reduce greenhouse gas emissions jobs will be lost and the economy will suffer. Didn’t the Big Three auto makers use this argument when the government tried to increase the vehicle efficiency standards? Didn’t Japan then step in with more fuel-efficient and reliable cars and nearly put the Big Three out of business?

It’s time to take our collective head out of the sand and realize that the Kyoto Protocol is an opportunity not only to avert an environmental disaster but to create whole new economies based on next-generation technologies of energy-efficient manufacturing processes, automobiles, building materials, public transport, alternative fuels, communications, etc. Becoming more energy-efficient makes our economy stronger, not weaker. Let’s lead the world to drive innovation. If we don’t, Japan, Germany and others will. And then where will we be with our inefficient industries and products?

NICOLA PEILL

Long Beach