An international effort to stop global warming moves forward this week, even as the U.S. stands firm in its refusal to join a proposed treaty to cut greenhouse gases.

As the latest discussions on the Kyoto Protocol began in Bonn on July 16, Europe criticized the United States’ rejection of the pact, which 178 countries have gathered to negotiate. Meanwhile, groups working within the United States are seeking other ways that we Americans – the largest producers of greenhouse gases – can clean up our act.

“Guests on Call” focuses this week on the latest talks on Kyoto.

• What is the current state of the negotiations? Can the treaty survive if “deal-makers” like the United States and Japan won’t agree? Will the U.S. position on Kyoto undermine our “moral imperative” in the world?
  
  
• President Bush has argued that the pact would hurt American business. Others argue that we could stimulate our economy by investing in renewable energy technologies.
  
  
• Will the U.S. position end up hurting our own citizens – many of whom are already facing unusual droughts and temperature changes?
  
  
• What can the U.S., and we Americans, do to cut emissions of greenhouse gases?