http://www.heraldsun.com/nationworld/14-775388.html

Nations Discuss Global Warming in Mexico

By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ : Associated Press Writer
Oct 3, 2006 : 7:28 pm ET

MONTERREY, Mexico -- Representatives from 20 of the world's most polluting
nations met behind closed doors in this industrial city in northern Mexico
on Tuesday to discuss ways to combat global warming.

Officials said energy and environment ministers from G-8 nations as well
as developing countries such as China, India and Brazil considered how to
create a new framework for tackling climate change before the Kyoto
Protocol expires in 2012.

The 1997 Kyoto Protocol requires 36 industrial nations to reduce emissions
of carbon dioxide, methane and other transportation, industrial and
agricultural gases blamed by scientists for atmospheric warming.

The meeting is the second recent gathering of wealthy nations and emerging
economies on global warming since British Prime Minister Tony Blair said
last year that the issue would be a priority during his presidency of the
G-8 group of industrialized nations.

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett told the Mexico gathering that
the development of new "green" technologies would bring new economic
opportunities.

"It is a myth that effective action on climate kills growth," Beckett
said, according to Britain's Press Association. "If we make the right
choices, this will be an agenda of opportunity not of sacrifice."

The United States generates about a quarter of the gases blamed for global
warming but has not signed the Kyoto Protocol -- arguing that doing so
would cost its economy 5 million jobs.

Instead, President Bush's administration has poured billions of dollars
into research aimed at slowing the growth of most greenhouse gases while
advocating a global cut on one of them, methane.

Mexican Environmental Secretary Jose Luis Luege said industrialized
countries need to help poorer nations have access to more environmentally
friendly technology.

"For developing countries, this represents an opportunity ... to
facilitate investment," Luege said.