THE long-range weather forecast is beginning to look cloudy and cool for the Kyoto Protocol. Approved just last December at a fevered meeting of politicians and bureaucrats from 160 nations, the protocol now appears to be running up against some stiff winds of opposition. Gone are the bold statements and calls for instant action to head off a global warming scare. In their place is a growing sense of caution, along with skepticism about the science. Some environmentalists are getting nervous.

Canadian politicians and activists are putting on a brave face. Federal Environment Minister Christine Stewart will be in New York this week signing a follow-up agreement of little consequence. Post-Kyoto conferences are taking place almost weekly. In Calgary next week, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien will open a two-day climate change meeting where bureaucrats and corporate greens will attempt to convince themselves they know what they're doing. But doubts are growing.

Beginning with the science: Claims are crumbling that the theory of global warming is backed by a great consensus of scientists. Over the past two months, more than 17,000 basic and applied scientists have signed a petition against the Kyoto Protocol. The petition has been organized by Frederick Seitz, a former president of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and a well-known opponent of climate change theory.

(more)

See: The Globe and Mail