Kerry: US leadership at stake in climate debate

By H. JOSEF HEBERT and DINA CAPPIELLO Associated Press Writers

WASHINGTON (AP) - The lead author of a Senate climate bill says action to combat global warming will raise energy prices, but also create jobs and that inaction could cause even worse economic and security problems.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said "America's leadership is on the line here" as he urged members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Tuesday to approve a bill that would cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by mid-century.

Republicans are strongly opposed to Kerry's bill, but some Democrats don't like it either.

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., said he was concerned about "the overall direction" of the bill. He said while Montana would be harmed by climate change "we also can't afford the unmitigated effects of climate change legislation."