On Monday, 178 nations of the world - the United States not among them – agreed upon the details of the Kyoto Protocol treaty, which calls for a global cut in harmful emissions that warm the earth’s atmosphere. As the world joined together in an effort to combat the ramifications of global warming, the U.S. remained isolated with no clear plan etched out for the future of our planet.

Last spring, President Bush asserted that he would not take part in the Kyoto treaty because he felt the methods of climate control that conference members were trying to implement would have a negative impact on the U.S. economy. Controlling carbon dioxide emissions would put stricter regulations on power plants, and in turn cause energy prices to rise.

In light of a new report released by the National Academy of Sciences that states improving vehicle mileage would significantly reduce emissions of global warming gasses, Democrats and moderate Republicans are planning to introduce fuel economy legislation. It is unclear right now as to where the president stands on the issue.

How do you think the Bush administration has handled environmental issues? Do you think that by not taking part in the Kyoto agreement the U.S. could be hindering future international relations? Do you think that the U.S. should have agreed to the Kyoto treaty? And what of the Kyoto Protocol treaty, itself - how effective will it be without the U.S.'s involvement?