Table of Contents
Current United States Actions to Address Climate Change
Tab 1
Analysis of the Kyoto Protocol
Tab 2
Advancing the Science of Climate Change
Tab 3
Advancing Technology to Address Climate Change
Tab 4
Promoting Cooperation in the Western Hemisphere and the World
Tab 5
Introduction
Three months ago, the President directed a Cabinet-level review of U.S. climate change policy.
Members of the Cabinet, the Vice President, and senior White House staff have been meeting to
examine the science, technologies, current U.S. efforts, and a wide range of innovative options
for addressing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
During that time, the Cabinet-level climate change working group has held regular and intensive
sessions and has heard from many experts representing a wide range of views. To obtain the
most recent information and a balanced view of what we know and do not know about the
science of climate change, the working group requested a report from the National Academy of
Sciences. The report outlines areas supported by the science and significant gaps in our
knowledge of climate change.
The following material contains the initial findings of the working group: summaries of current
U.S. actions, an analysis of the Kyoto Protocol, and proposals to advance the science, advance
technologies, and create partnerships in the Western Hemisphere and throughout the world to
address climate change.
The President has directed the Cabinet-level climate change working group to press forward and
develop innovative approaches in accordance with several basic principles. These approaches
should: (1) be consistent with the long-term goal of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in
the atmosphere; (2) be measured, as we learn more from science and build on it; (3) be flexible
to adjust to new information and take advantage of new technology; (4) ensure continued
economic growth and prosperity; (5) pursue market-based incentives and spur technological
innovation; and (6) be based on global parti