We need Congress' help making nation greener

President Bush is attempting to convince world leaders that setting "voluntary" goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is an adequate response to global warming. Voluntary goals were tried in 1990 and failed. Rio Earth Summit's voluntary goals were never achieved. Bush's strategy is like setting voluntary highway speed limits; they don't work.

We need binding international treaties that hold nations and global corporations accountable for their greenhouse gas pollution and create strong market incentives to reward non-polluters. A carbon tax, cap and trade system is the only realistic option for reaching the necessary 80 percent cuts in emissions by 2050.

Surprisingly, many in American business, not just environmentalists, oppose Bush's plan. General Motors, GE, DuPont, BP, Shell and PepsiCo have joined with others to form the U.S. Climate Action Partnership. They support the necessary 80 percent cuts by 2050. Why? Because they know that curbing emissions is inevitable and necessary. They want long-term certainty about the price set on emissions, so they can plan for the future. For example, a high carbon tax would change the economic feasibility of building more dirty coal plants. Instead, wise investment in renewable, nonfossil fuel energy sources will occur. All agree that once carbon price policy is set, the needed technology will develop quickly.

Washington's embarrassing response to our global crisis has created a leadership vacuum that state and local governments are stepping in to fill. Florida's Gov. Charlie Crist, CFO Alex Sink and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz are just a few of our forward-thinking leaders who recognize global warming as not only a challenge, but as an opportunity to create new technology, industry and jobs. In the Keys, we can be proud that all municipalities have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

On Oct. 1, the city of Key West [began] a formal energy audit, to take inventory of how we use energy as a city and community, and to determine the amount of greenhouse gases we create. This is a necessary first step toward learning how to become a more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable community. We can help the environment and save big money in energy costs at the same time, just as hundreds of cities across the country are already doing.

State and local governments cannot do this alone. It will take action at all levels of society to show the world that Americans are finally serious about doing our part. Congress must help by passing a comprehensive, "sustainable" energy bill this year and by agreeing to cap our greenhouse gas emissions in the near future.

Unfortunately, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has not yet supported global warming legislation. You can help. Let her know you want her to wake up, step up and lead in seeking climate and energy solutions. Call her [at] 305-220-3281, fax her [at] 305-220-3291, write a letter, or go to her Web site and e-mail her.

Ross Williams, Key West