Australian PM Admits Global Warming Exists, But Won't Sign Climate Treaty

GLOBAL warming was real and was supported by scientific evidence, Prime Minister John Howard said yesterday.

His comments came as Federal Cabinet considers new proposals tomorrow to help drought-stricken farmers. Cabinet is expected to consider easing Centrelink rules on income and asset tests and providing debt repayment relief and exceptional circumstances help for more areas.

"I don't believe it (global warming) is all a myth – no, I don't," Mr Howard said. "I have seen enough scientific evidence – I think some of the descriptions of it, some of the extreme manifestations of it, are mythical – but I do think there is a very strong case for controlling greenhouse gas emissions."

However, the PM still opposed signing the Kyoto protocol on climate change. And he would not comment on whether Australia's droughts were caused by global warming."

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http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,15368311%255E911,00.html