Kyoto outcry: What they said

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The decision by George W. Bush not to implement the Kyoto agreement on global warming has provoked a furious reaction in the U.S. and around the world. Here is a sample of the global reaction from leading environmentalists.

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British Environment Minister Michael Meacher: "It was signed up to by every single nation on earth, and if America now tries to walk away ... I think this is not just an environmental issue, it's an issue of transatlantic global foreign policy."

A predecessor John Gummer, who was involved in the Kyoto negotiations,: "I don't think President Bush realises how much this will sour relationships with the rest of the world.

"We, the rich countries, have grown rich because we have polluted the world. Now that pollution is damaging the world we can't possibly turn to the poor countries and say now we have grown rich, you can't develop."

EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstroem: "What is needed now is an international reaction. This is about international relationships, trade, and economics."

Yasuo Fukuda, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary: "The United States emits the largest amount of carbon dioxide in the world so it is very important that it ratifies the protocol. What Japan should do from now on is to continue to urge the United States to ratify it."

Democrat Senator Joseph Lieberman: "The president says he is a compassionate conservative but isn't it true that the truly compassionate conservative would do everything he could to conserve the beautiful gifts of nature that god has given us here in America."

Bill Meadows, Wilderness Society: "It is open season on basic environment laws and safeguards that protect the air we breath -- the water we drink and the special places that we love. It is a strange definition of compassionate."

Christine Todd Whitman, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator: "I would hope that you would understand that no one, particularly with this administration, would jeopardize public health because of campaign contributions. I don't see that happening as decisions are made."

Philip Clapp, National Environmental Trust: "I don't think that the American public was voting for Newt Gingrich's environmental policy."

Australian Environment Minister Robert Hill: "The Kyoto protocol wouldn't work without the United States. Time is against us. We are already starting to experience the consequences of climate change."

Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown: "It is a low point in world environment history."

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