These efforts represent an important component in the battle against global warming, but widespread reductions in the overall production of dangerous pollutants cannot be made without the statutory support of the federal government. It is high time for our elected officials to cease their practice of employing global warming as a part of their environment-friendly rhetoric during campaign season, and then completely ignoring it when the time comes for legislation on the subject to be drafted for fear, real or imagined, of losing financial support from companies who pollute. I have no doubt that Al Gore embraces global warming as an important issue, nor do I think that George Bush, if confronted with the evidence he claims to need, would truly wish to ignore the danger signs and destroy his brothers chances for reelection by allowing Florida to sink beneath the waves. Such platitudes, however, will remain as empty statements if there no legislative action taken in the next few months on their behalf. In the end, it will be up to whoever is elected on Tuesday--to the Presidency as well as to Congress--to bear the responsibility of ensuring that the United States is a key supporter and ratifier of the Kyoto Protocol, and not to let politics as usual get in the way of everyone's future.

Alixandra E. Smith '02 is a government concentrator in Kirkland House. Her column appears on alternate Thursdays.