Greenhouse effect prods global legislative initiatives

An overview is provided of global legislative initiatives that are appearing on the political landscape as a result of the explosion of doomsday publicity concerning the greenhouse effect. These initiatives, if enacted into law, may chart radically different energy policies for nations. Opinions vary as to the appropriate timetable for enacting laws that respond to polluting atmospheric emissions brought on by the demand for additional electric power, a major contributor of carbon dioxide. Legislative initiatives encouraging the development of emerging electric power technologies that are more efficient and compatible with new environmental standards are being touted, along with bills in the US Congress that would encourage the use of benign fuels and technologies while penalizing polluting sources. On the global legislative agenda, response strategies for reducing atmospheric emissions have events overtaking conservative established schedules. A consensus is growing that transferring energy efficient technologies to the developing countries is imperative, since these nations will contribute the bulk of carbon dioxide emissions in the future.<>