Bush Clarifies His Climate Change Policy, Puts More Stress on Action

President Bush concluded an international gathering of scientists, economists and environmentalists Wednesday by asserting that his Administration has “never considered research a substitute for action” in addressing the threat of global warming.

“We cannot allow a question like climate change to be characterized as a debate (of) economists versus environmentalists,” Bush said in remarks interpreted by conference participants as a softening of the position he took only a day earlier.

“The truth is, strong economies allow nations to fulfill the obligations of stewardship--and environmental stewardship is crucial to sustaining strong economies,” the President said.

Bush’s remarks came as he closed a two-day White House session during which delegations from 17 countries heard the President and top Administration officials stress the scientific uncertainties and profound economic implications of the global warming debate.

European delegates had criticized the conference agenda’s emphasis on scientific and economic research rather than steps to reduce emissions of so-called greenhouse pollutants that many scientists believe may lead to catastrophic warming of the Earth’s climate.

But as he closed the heavily publicized session, Bush said: “Those who suggest that we’re only trying to balance economic growth and environmental protection . . . miss the point. We are calling for an entirely new way of thinking, to achieve both, while compromising neither, by applying the power of the market place in the service of the environment.”

The European representatives, who had complained that all of the public conference sessions were taken up with American speeches, were pleased with Bush’s conclusion of the conference.

“I hope this is the start of a change in the American attitude,” said Pier Vellinga, director of the climate change program in the Netherlands. “Yesterday, he said we cannot act until we have more facts. Today it was much different.”

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator William K. Reilly said there was “no question that the President heard the delegates.”