1992 Climate Convention established the overall objective of preventing dangerous human induced climate change.
This agreement, which was signed by President George Bush and ratified by Congress, also enshrined a key principle—different levels of responsibility for industrialized and developing countries. The treaty calls on industrialized countries like the US to take the ‘first step” toward comprehensive response strategies.
As part of the Convention, the US and other industrialized countries pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2000.
The US is violating both of these principles—emissions are now over 10 percent higher than 1990 levels and developing country participation is the pillar of the US negotiating stance. This combination is highly damaging to US credibility in every forum for climate change discussion.
