South Pacific alarmed at Bush climate decision

Low-lying South Pacific islands are most at risk according to scientists

In this story: Bush stance World outcry RELATED STORIES

By CNN's Kirsty Alfredson

South Pacific nations have expressed "extreme disappointment" at a U. S. decision not to support a treaty to curb global warming.

Samoa was one of 16 Pacific Island Forum members to speak out on Friday against U.S. President George W. Bush's decision to abandon the Kyoto Protocol.

The agreement commits 37 industrialized nations to cut gas emissions in a bid to stop global warming.

The President of Samoa, Tuila epa Sailele told CNN.com the United States is a world leader thinking of its "self-interests" and not of responsibilities beyond its shores.

South Pacific alarmed CNN's Kirsty Alfredson speaks to Samoan President Tuila epa Sailele on U.S. decision 2.8M/4 min 22 sec AIFF or WAV sound

Tuila epa said he hoped Bush would change his mind as low-lying islands could be "wiped out" by rising sea levels.

Many Pacific island atolls, just a few feet above sea level, are facing the threat of disappearing beneath the ocean and they fear devastation by cyclones.

The Pacific nations said on Friday they would take their concerns to a higher level, including the United Nations, a heads of Commonwealth meeting and a Pacific forum later this year.

They issued a statement saying "the announcement by the U.S. not to support the Kyoto Protocol is disappointing given its influential role".

The U.S. is the world's biggest producer of greenhouse gas.

Bush stance

Bush argues the United States will not back the 1997 international accord on the grounds it is not in the economic interests of the United States.

"We also have an energy crisis. And the idea of placing caps on carbon dioxide does not make economic sense for America," Bush said.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he understood the U.S. concern, particularly in wanting to include developing countries in the climate change pact.

"What President Bush is concerned about, and it is an understandable concern, is you can't really have a comprehensive agreement unless you get the developing countries inside the tent," Howard said in a radio interview with Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"I don't think he is wrong in relation to wanting the developing countries involved. He's not wrong about that. But Australia is right in continuing to work to get an agreement, which includes developing countries.

Howard was pessimistic about the U.S. reversing the decision.

"They won't change their mind in relation to the involvement of developing countries," he said, adding he had had no contact with the U.S. administration on the issue.

World outcry

The U.S. policy stance has sparked harsh criticism with the European Union pledging to send a high-level delegation to Washington next week to urge Bush to reverse the decision.

Japan too is hoping there is still time for a reversal.

The Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Friday sent Bush a letter urging him to reconsider his rejection of a global warming treaty.

The pact seeks to reduce major industrialized nations' emissions by an average of 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

Scientists widely believe greenhouse gas emissions -- which result mostly from burning coal and oil -- trap heat in the earth's atmosphere and contribute to global warming which can cause disastrous weather changes.

The protocol was signed by the United States, but the U.S. Senate has not ratified it.

The next round of Kyoto treaty talks are set to be held in Bonn in July.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Experts hope to clear up warming controversy

See related sites about Asia

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.