The U.S. Senate has begun debate on legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. In a 74 to 14 procedural vote, senators agreed to move ahead with debate late Monday. But chances of the bill's passage appear slim, with many lawmakers concerned about its impact on the economy.
美国国会参议院开始就一项气候问题立法进行辩论，这项法案的目的在于减少造成全球变暖的温室气体排放。在74票赞成14票反对的程序性投票后，参议员们同意星期一晚些时候开始辩论。但是这项法案获得通过的可能性很小， 因为很多国会议员担心这项立法会对经济产生冲击。
The legislation would set caps on U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from electric utility, transportation and manufacturing industries beginning in 2012, with the goal of reducing such emissions by as much as 66 percent by 2050.
这项法案将为美国的温室气体排放设定上限，从2012年开始，电力业、交通运输和制造业都要减少温室气体排放，到2050年，实现减排66%。
Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who calls himself an independent Democrat, is a chief sponsor of the measure:
来自康涅狄克州、自称是独立民主党人的利伯曼是提案主要发起人之一。
"Beginning in 2012, this legislation would place a cap on the aggregate greenhouse emissions that 2,100 facilities in America that are responsible for 85 percent of those emissions in this country," said Senator Lieberman.
利伯曼说：“从2012年开始，这项立法将为美国两千一百个设施的温室气体排放总和设定上限，它们的排放量占全国的80%。”
The bill would create an incentive system that would give credits to industries that cut pollution. Industries that failed to reduce emissions would be forced to buy credits from others.
这项议案将设立奖励制度，给减少污染的工业记点。而不能完成减排指标的工业将被迫要从其他企业那里购买点数。
Senator John Warner, a Virginia Republican, the other cosponsor of the bill, says Americans are concerned about the impact of climate change and want Congress to act.
议案的另一位发起人、维吉尼亚州共和党参议员约翰.沃纳说，美国人对气候变暖的影响感到关切，希望国会采取行动。
"There is a great feeling all across America by people in small villages and towns and large cities to state legislatures and others that we must move and move now," said Senator Warner. "Do something. Doing nothing is not an option."
沃纳说：“美国各地，不论是村庄，小镇，大城市，还是各州议会，都有一种深切的认识， 都认为我们必须行动，现在就行动，拿出实际行动。无所作为不是我们的选项。”
But other Republicans, including President Bush reject the legislation, saying it would increase energy costs and lead to job losses.
不过其他共和党人，包括布什总统都反对这个法案，他们说，这样会提高能源成本并导致工作机会流失。
Even before the Senate began considering the bill, the president highlighted his opposition, saying the measure would cost the U.S. economy $6 trillion.
甚至在参议院考虑这个议案之前，布什就强调了他的反对意见，说这个议案将使美国经济损失六万亿美元。
"There's a much better way to address the environment than imposing these costs on the job creators, which will ultimately have to be borne by American consumers," said President Bush. "And I urge the Congress to be very careful about running up enormous costs for future generations of Americans."
布什说：“保护环境有一个更好的方式，比强制那些能创造工作机会的企业增加成本的作法要好，而这些成本最终要由美国消费者承担。我敦促国会要特别谨慎地对待会给美国未来几代人带来巨大代价的作法。”
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the president would veto the bill in its present form.
白宫发言人佩里诺说，布什总统将否决现在这个法案。
Senator James Inhofe, an Oklahoma Republican, says the legislation does nothing to press other nations, particularly China and India, to cut their emissions.
来自奥克拉荷马州的共和党参议员詹姆斯.英赫夫说，这个法案完全没有要求其它国家、特别是中国和印度，减少温室气体排放。
"All major emitting countries, including developing nations, must participate in order for any U.S. program to produce meaningful reductions in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases," said Senator Inhofe. "Today, China emits more carbon dioxide than we do, and that divide is only going to grow."
英赫夫说：“所有主要的温室气体排放国家，包括发展中国家，都必须参与其中，这样，美国的减排措施才可能产生有意义的效果。今天中国排放的二氧化碳超过了我们，这种差别只会加大。”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, responded:
参议院多数党领袖哈利.里德是来自内华达州的民主党人，他说：
"Should we as some say wait for China and India to act? Of course not, Mr. [Senate] President," said Senator Reid. "Since when does America let other countries lead the way? It is our responsibility to forge the path that other nations will follow."
“我们是否应该像一些人说的那样，等待中国和印度采取行动呢？当然不是，美国从什么时候开始让其它国家来牵头了？ 我们的责任是开创道路，其它的国家会跟进来。”
All three major presidential candidates, Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, support government-imposed limits on greenhouse gas emissions.
所有三名竞选美国总统的人--共和党的麦凯恩参议员以及民主党的奥巴马和克林顿参议员都支持政府对温室气体排放进行限制。
Supporters of the Senate bill believe chances for passage will be better when there is a new occupant in the White House next year.
支持参议院这项议案的人认为，明年总统换届时之后议案通过的机会将比较大。 |