Senate Approves Earth Summit’s Global Warming Treaty

The global warming treaty signed at the U.N. Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro last June after three years of furious controversy was approved by the Senate on a voice vote without debate Wednesday.

The treaty calls for steps, still to be negotiated, to reduce the emissions of so-called greenhouse gases that scientists believe are altering the Earth’s climate.

Carbon dioxide, produced by the burning of fossil fuels, is the pollutant of chief concern.

With the 102nd Congress driving for adjournment, the controversial treaty was cleared for President Bush’s signature almost unnoticed.

Anticipating passage, William K. Reilly, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, had sent out a prepared statement early in the week, embargoed until the Senate had acted.

“I am very pleased the United States Senate has moved quickly to pass the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,” he said. “When President Bush formally signs the treaty, we will become the first industrial nation to ratify it.”