``Climate change is more remote than terror but a more profound threat
to the future of the children and the grandchildren and the
great-grandchildren I hope all of you have,'' Clinton said.

``It's the only thing we face today that has the power to remove the
preconditions of civilized society,'' he said.

``I am not one of those who is pessimistic about the future of the
world, assuming we get off our butts and do something about climate
change in a timely fashion.''


From Reuters, 5/20/06:
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/news/news-environment-clinton.html

Clinton Says Must "Get Off Our Butts" to Stop Warming

By REUTERS


AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) -

Former President Bill Clinton said on Saturday global warming is a
greater threat to the future than terrorism and that the United States
and other countries must ``get off our butts'' and do something about
it.

Clinton, speaking to the graduating class at University of Texas'
Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, said the United States
must pursue policies that make ``more partners and fewer enemies'' and
use ``institutionalized cooperation'' before there is catastrophic
damage from global warming.

``Climate change is more remote than terror but a more profound threat
to the future of the children and the grandchildren and the
great-grandchildren I hope all of you have,'' Clinton said.

``It's the only thing we face today that has the power to remove the
preconditions of civilized society,'' he said.

``I am not one of those who is pessimistic about the future of the
world, assuming we get off our butts and do something about climate
change in a timely fashion.''

During Clinton's administration, the global Kyoto Protocol to curb the
release of greenhouse gases was created but the Bush administration
has rejected it on grounds it will hurt the U.S. economy.

``I think we should be in the Kyoto climate change system,'' Clinton
said.

``We can't solve global warming or any other problem in the world you
can mention that amounts to a hill of beans by ourselves.''

The United States is considered the largest emitter of the
''greenhouse gases'' blamed for global warming.

President George W. Bush has said that global warming may be occurring
but its cause is not clear.

Generally, it is believed that the burning of fossil fuels is the
primary cause of climate change.

___________________________________________________

``Climate change is more remote than terror but a more profound threat
to the future of the children and the grandchildren and the
great-grandchildren I hope all of you have,'' Clinton said.

``It's the only thing we face today that has the power to remove the
preconditions of civilized society,'' he said.

``I am not one of those who is pessimistic about the future of the
world, assuming we get off our butts and do something about climate
change in a timely fashion.''

Harry