Explores U.S. position on developing countries in climate
protection efforts. Concludes that climate protection requires
the initial leadership of a few countries that bear historical
responsibility for the problem and have considerable capability
to act. The authors explore the United States’ position on
developing countries in climate protection efforts. - Over the
long term, most countries, including developing ones, will need
to do more to rein in their greenhouse gas emissions. - To get
the ball rolling in the near term, however, climate protection
will require the initial leadership of a few countries that bear
historical responsibility for the problem and that have
considerable capability to act. Such leadership would create the
conditions for a dialogue among all countries on the timing,
conditions, and circumstances for more formal involvement of key
developing countries. The U.S. has sought one set of objectives
on climate change – developing country commitments – while at
the same time financing bi