GOP disputes global-warming cause

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Senate Republicans are pushing back on the issue of global warming, with the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee questioning not only the evidence for warming, but also the link between human actions and climate change.

"This research begs an obvious question: If the Earth was warmer during the Middle Ages than the age of coal-fired power plants and SUVs, what role do man-made emissions play in influencing climate?" asked Chairman James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma.

"I think any person with a modicum of common sense would say, 'Not much,'" Mr. Inhofe said.

His Monday speech and a committee hearing yesterday in which two scientists discussed their research questioning the human link to climate change are a precursor to a showdown on carbon emissions expected this week as the Senate debates the energy bill.

Republicans said they expect to defeat amendments that would impose curbs on carbon dioxide emissions, but sources in both parties said some weaker amendments that would require industries to report their carbon emissions to the government are likely to pass.

Mr. Inhofe called the amendments "politically driven" and pointed to the sponsors -- some of whom are running for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination -- as evidence that climate science is being overtaken by politics.

"All of the Democrats running for the nomination -- the one group that is the most cherished to them in order to get the nomination is the environmental groups," Mr. Inhofe said.

The four Senate Democrats running for president missed several votes yesterday on other amendments to the energy bill, but they are expected to be present today to debate and vote on the climate amendments.

Democrats said the evidence for warming is overwhelming and criticized those who pushed for more studies rather than action.