Window's still open.

Byline: The Register-Guard

A new British government study warns that unchecked global warming will devastate the world's economy in coming decades on a scale equivalent to a world war. Yet the Bush administration absurdly continues to insist that mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions would strain the U.S. economy.

Authored by Britain's senior government economist Sir Nicholas Stern, the report calls for doubling public spending on research into new low-carbon technologies and for mandatory cap-and-trade limits on greenhouse gas emissions.

The report makes clear that the cost of failing to act is staggering: a long-term worldwide recession and the loss of up to 20 percent of global gross domestic product. By contrast, cutting greenhouse emissions now would cost 1 percent of global GDP annually - a manageable rate that Stern says would still enable countries to "grow and be green."

The 16-month study was commissioned by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has become increasingly frustrated by Bush's head-in-the-sand approach to global warming. In accepting the report on Monday, Blair called for "bold and decisive action," warning that "the consequences for our planet are literally disastrous."

When Bush abandoned the Kyoto Protocols and opposed mandatory cap-and-trade legislation in Congress, he insisted he was protecting the U.S. economy. Based on Stern's analysis, Bush should re-think that position. By leaving the hard but necessary work of limiting emissions to future administrations, Bush isn't safeguarding the American economy; he's exponentially increasing the hit it will take when action can no longer be avoided.

An increasing number of Bush's fellow Republicans recognize the need to address climate change. Arizona Sen. John McCain, along with Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., has proposed mandatory cap-and-trade legislation. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed into law a bill requiring mandatory cuts in global warming pollution from industrial sources.

If Bush continues to refuse to lead the way on fighting climate change, he should at least stop trying to obstruct those who are trying to fill the void in national leadership. The White House should drop its opposition to McCain's bill and stop pushing for legislation that would pre-empt individual state controls on greenhouse emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency should stop withholding the waiver needed by California - and 10 other states including Oregon - to require automakers to make major reductions in global warming tailpipe pollution.

Stern's report comes one week before the start of the latest round of talks by Kyoto participants to determine the next steps in the international fight against global warming. The United States has not been expected to participate in those discussions. But Bush could change that by sending a delegation to explore possible U.S. participation in a new agreement.

The effects of global warming are already taking an unacceptably high toll - and on more than the economy. Ancient glaciers are disappearing at an unprecedented rate. Sea levels are rising. Wildfires are worsening. Wildlife migration patterns are being disrupted. Temperatures are the warmest they've been in 12,000 years.

As Stern says, the window of opportunity for effective global action on climate change is still open. But it's closing fast. Successful, and affordable, intervention will require the proactive involvement of the world's largest national economy and energy user.

With two years left on the job, Bush still has a chance to do the right thing on global warming. The longer he waits, the greater the cost.