The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, October 16, 1997, Page 3, Image 3
Hagel speaks on treaty ■ 1 he international pact might prove dangerous to U.S. interests, he said. By Brad Davis Assignment Reporter Economic disaster and loss of U.S. sovereignty could be the results of signing an international treaty dealing with global climate, U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel told UNL stu dents Wednesday. Hagel said the passing of the global warming treaty could have a tremendous impact on the United States. It would be one of the most critical decisions the U.S. Senate would make this year, he said. He was speaking to international law classes at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. l ne treaty could mandate cer tain reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and place limits on cer tain types of energy consumption. Hagel said the biggest danger in passing the treaty would be the loss of national sovereignty regarding global warming issues. An international body would be created with jurisdiction to say which U.S. industries pose an envi ronmental threat. That body would also have the power to regulate those industries, Hagel said. “This would be the first time in U.S. history that we would be sub jecting ourselves to an international law,” Hagel said. “It would change, totally, the dynamics of who we are as a people.” The global climate change treaty, which is scheduled to be signed by a group of countries in Kyto, Japan, in December, could exclude “developing countries” such as Mexico and China. Hagel said the Byrd-Hagel reso lution, which he co-authored with Senator Bob Byrd (R-W.Va.), was passed by the Senate and stipulates that a provision for developing countries oe eliminated trom tne treaty. In 15 years, Hagel said, China, which was labeled as a developing country, would become the world’s leading producer of greenhouse gases, which are believed to cause global warming. Currently, the United States leads the world in the emission of greenhouse gases. Hagel said China and the other countries labeled as developing should not be exempt from the new environmental standards. “Within 15 years, more than 60 percent of the gases will come from the 130 undeveloped countries,” Hagel said. The resolution also stipulates the treaty must not cause economic harm to the United States, which Hagel said was a great concern. Hagel said he had seen econom ic models created by several differ ent organizations that forecast “eco nomic disaster” if the treaty were enacted. 11 we decided that (the global climate change treaty) is important, then we’ll have to deal with the eco nomics of it.” Although Hagel may support government intervention with glob al-warming policies if necessary, he also said a “balance between gov ernment intervention and the mar ket” would have to be forged. Coal mines in the United Kingdom provide an exampleof the market taking care of environmental issues without government inter vention, Hagel said. Hagel said former British Prime Minister Maragret Thatcher made an economic decision to close the polluting coal mines in Britain because other forms of energy were cheaper. This decision subsequently decreased many concerns regarding greenhouse gases in Britain. Market forces in the United States wfll’aCt the same way, Hagel said. Industries will seek cleaner, cheaper forms of energy without prodding from the government, thus reducing pollution - and environ mental concerns. Because of the possible political and economic consequences, Hagel said members of the Senate wanted to explore all aspects of the global warming issue before the treaty was formally presented to them. '"Hagel said there were few times in history when senators did not wait until the protocol (or treaty) was brought to them before they dis cussed it. With this treaty, Hagel said, the Senate had exercised its role as an adviser by researching and examin ing the treaty before the final copy had actually been written. “The Senate plays an active role in shaping the protocol, itself,” he said. Hagel said the Senate was exam ining the scientific evidence regard ing global warming, which he said was complicated and contradictory. The senate would have to deter mine “how big of a problem” global warming was before making any decisions, he said. Another treaty Hagel said the senate was discussing dealt with land mines, which he said had become a popular topic since Princess Diana’s death in August. One of her biggest political priori ties was eliminating land mines worldwide. Hagel said the United States was doing the most of any country in the effort to eradicate land mines, with a budget of $80 million this year. Hagel was the co-author of a bill that allows the United States to con tinue using land mines in Korea indefinitely, although he said the land mines used in Korea were not intended to hurt people. The U.S. land mines in Korea were used as “anti-tank” mines, he said. “The object is not, signing treaties, the object is getting rid oF land mines,” Hagel said. “It’s impor tant that we all come together (in a bipartisan effort) and do it right.” Floats build enthusiasm By Kim Sweet Staff Reporter Leaves rustle, cheers emanate from nearby pep rallies and the smoke from freshly lit fireplace logs fills the air. But in Lincoln, autumn not only brings cooler weather and homespun sounds, it also brings Homecoming Week. And during the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Homecoming Week, the squeals of saws, the hammering of nails and the raising of wooden platforms are equally prevalent. Throughout the week, the yards of greek houses and residence halls are littered with building supplies and busy bodies con structing homecoming lawn dis plays.The project brings together all greek and residence hall stu dents to plan and carry out each aspect of the float. Everything from the frame work to the artwork requires the dedication of a diverse group of people and majors, said Shane Miller, a junior construction man agement major and member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. During the early stages of con struction, wood, chicken wire and tissue paper lay scattered across the lawns as wooden pillars and Herbie Huskers slowly begin to take shape. “Pillars of Strength” is this year’s theme for homecoming ; decor. Massive lumber frames stretch from one side of the lawns to the other. Sigma Phi Epsilon began putting frames on top of each other, creating a two-story orna ment. The group is counting on the size to win the contest. “We usually win because ours is always the biggest,” Miller said. Some are counting on original ity rather than size to pull them through the competition. Matt Faulkner, a freshman math major who lives in Neihardt Residence Hall, used his creativity to create a three-dimensional design that allows viewers to see a picture of Coach Tom Osborne from one position and a Husker helmet from the other. “We probably won’t be able to beat the ‘houses’ that are being built by the fraternities, but we might have a chance at taking the residence hall crown,” Faulkner said. Some groups had entire frames constructed by Tuesday evening, while others had just begun to haul wood onto the lawns. Many groups work all day and late into the night. Some houses planned to spend as many as 40 hours over five days to complete the projects. Two or three greek chapters were involved with each float, Jeremy Carrell, a junior con struction management major and member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, said. Some houses pulled all-night vigils to keep watch over the mon uments that were in progress. Tents were set up on the platforms, and mattresses were pulled out on lawns while the members sipped on hot chocolate, struggling to stay awake. The motivation behind build ing the displays is more than hav ing the winning group’s name blared across Memorial Stadium during the homecoming game, some said. “The construction of it requires that we all work together,” said Garrett Luenenberg, a senior con struction management major and member of Alpha Tau Omega. “It is a bonding experience.” The students aren’t the only ones, creating displays. The Association of Students of the University of Nebraska sponsored an office display contest for facul ty and other UNL staff to partici pate in. Although the final product was not as large, staff went after the competition with just as much zeal. The office of the College of Agriculture Sciences created a Memorial Stadium complete with HuskerVision, a press box and the Herbie Husker mascot. Nebraska players were represented by Pepsi cans, and Coke cans represented \ the opposition. The contest provided a way for the staff to show its spirit. “It brought our office together \ and was enjoyable,” said Deb Dillow, a secretary in the College of Agriculture Sciences. The temples, mascots and pil lars will see their glory for a few days. After that, the fate of the dis- | plays will be left up to those who spent their precious hours con structing them. Some groups, like Sigma Phi j Epsilon and Neihardt Hall, will j contribute the wood to charities like Habitat for Humanity; so the j glory won’t end after one week- 1 end. Sorority to flip flapjacks From Staff Reports Delta Delta Delta Sorority will be having its annual Flap Jack Snack Attack pancake feed tonight. Sponsored by Village Inn, the event will be at the sorority house, 1601R St., from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. All pro ceeas go to cnuaren s cancer Research. All students, faculty and the entire Lincoln community are invit ed. Tickets are $2 in advance and $3 at the door. Tickets will be on sale at the Nebraska Union today. For information, call the Delta Delta Delta house at 436-7063. cAceneiu 44 cAceneni Color V Pricing Tribal Design •Hospital Sterilization • New Needles • Henna Art • Member Of National Tattoo Association • Privacy Available •Comfortable Environment Watkins & Appointments Available 488-7698 • Mountain Bike • Husker Footballs • Dozens of Frisbees Register as often as you like with any purchase before October 30th. 'SUBWAY' ONLY at 12th &‘Q’ St. KJomens .Services P.C. • Abortion Services Provided During AH Legal Stages • Awake or Asleep • Outpatient Care • Full-Time OB/GYN Physicians • Birth Control • SaturdayAppointmentsAvailable • Total OB/GYN Healthcare IN OMAHA • 864-0110 TOLL FREE • 1-800822-8331 201 S. 46th St. Omaha, NE 68132 httpJgynpagaa.com/omaha This week at UPC ... ^ The exotic French jewel thief returns ... Sunday, October 19, 1997 3 • 5 • 7 • 9 p.m. . 4^ Mary Riepma Ross Film Theater ^ ^Ke»-b Coa)'. © Students - $4 • Non-students - $6 © © © HARR ll S REVEALS WHAT THE. S9VT, DOESN'T TEAL TOO ... ,v ^Thursday, October 16, 1997 Hi 8 P-m., FREE **144*1* The Crib, Nebraska Union Wfc