•    Steven Cuckler is a second year day student and president of the Federalist Society.

    Last December in Kyoto, Japan, the Clinton Administration agreed to the United Nations Global Climate Treaty, known as the Kyoto Protocol. This treaty will have a serious impact for the American economy and our energy use.

    The Kyoto Protocol is flawed for a number of reasons. First, it binds the United States to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions while excluding 134 developing nations, such as China, Mexico, India, Brazil, and South Korea. Some of our countries biggest competitors do not have to comply with the same daunting restrictions being placed upon American businesses and producers by this treaty.

    The treaty, negotiated in December, 1997 by Vice President Al Gore would force the United States to reduce so called "greenhouse gas" emissions ( carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and three synthetic gases) by 7% below 1990 levels between the years 2008 and 2012. According to Harvard University economist Robert Stavins of the Kennedy School of Government, to achieve the reductions contemplated by the treaty the U.S. would have to reduce emissions 40% below the 2010 emissions projections.

    What effect will the Kyoto Protocol have upon our country? A recent study by the Wharton Econometric Forecasting Association (WEFA, Inc.) projected that the U.S. would lose 2.4 million jobs and a $300 billion reduction in the U.S. Gross Domestic Product(GDP). Home energy costs would face a price increase 55 percent for electricity and 70 percent for home heating costs by 2010. Gasoline prices would increase almost 60 percent. Energy prices would double while wages go down!
 
    The treaty's effect on Ohio would mirror the nationwide economic fallout. According to WEFA the Kyoto agreement would cost Ohio 58, 200 jobs, including 33,600 manufacturing jobs. Moreover, the higher energy costs translate to higher prices for Ohio consumers: WEFA predicts that Ohio will see a 9% jump in housing costs; a 9% in the weekly grocery bill; and a 13% hike in health care costs.

    This treaty digs at the very root of American communities. It will not only affect American Agriculture, businesses, labor, farmers and ranchers- it will also impact schools, hospitals, recreational centers, and our homes. Poor and middle income families would feel the squeeze-lower wages, fewer jobs, and higher energy costs. This is an unconscionable burden placed on the already strapped American family.

    This treaty also will undermine American sovereignty and national security. The treaty gives the United Nations the authority to determine energy use in the United States. The UN would be monitoring our energy use, while ignoring the energy use of our economic competitors.  Unites States Senator Chuck Hagel has stated that, " The debate over the Kyoto agreement is not about the environment. It is about limiting the United States economy and energy use." The United States Senate must not ratify this treaty because it is flawed, harmful, and wrong.
 

This article was aided by the research of WEFA,Inc., and Citizens for a Sound Economy contributing columnist, Senator Chuck Hagel.