LETTERS: INTERNET OFFERS GLOBAL-WARMING DATA

To the editor:

Those people truly interested in learning more about the global-warming controversy should visit their library or use their Internet access. Simply by typing in "Global Warming" or "Kyoto Accord" on any search engine will yield more global-warming sites that the average person could read in a lifetime.

There are two sites I would recommend to begin with. Richard S. Lindzen, the Alfred P. Sloan professor of meteorology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has published a nine-page paper on global warming at www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/reg15n2g.html. Gail McDonald, the president of the Global Climate Coalition, has published a three-page paper on global warming at www.ozone.org/page16.html. These two writers have opposing views and offer a reader basic information regarding the issue from two very different perspectives.

Global warming is an extremely politically charged issue. It's an issue that one should form an opinion about based on an understanding of the relevant facts. Few would argue that everything prudent needs to be done to conserve our resources. The key word here is prudent.

Most U.S. companies are already taking very expensive measures to ensure their products are environmentally friendly. Consumers are already paying a higher price for products because of changes made to protect the environment. I would submit that 99 percent of these extra costs are justified.

In my opinion, however, the Kyoto accord is flawed regardless of what side of the issue one stands on. The accord calls for restrictive measures that are not applied evenly worldwide. This flaw will cause an excessive cost of emission control to be borne by U.S. taxpayers.

STAN CRADER

Jackson