The Wisconsin Coalition for Fair Global Policy is way off base when it says that taking action on climate change would" cripple" Wisconsin's economy. ("Business coalition lines up opposition to global warming treaty," Nov. 23, 1998.) 

On the contrary, early action to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution would create jobs, clean up the environment and get our state's economy ready to face the 21st century. 

The coalition cites a study by a Philadelphia consulting firm that was funded by the American Petroleum Institute. That study, biased from the start, takes a cookie-cutter approach to economics and says nothing about Wisconsin. Two studies by our state government that looked at Wisconsin's economy in detail found completely different results. 

A 1995 report by the Wisconsin Energy Bureau found that a 75 percent increase in renewable energy use by 2010 would generate about 3,316 more jobs, $81 million in higher disposable income and a $165 million increase in gross state product than investments in coal and natural gas power plants. 

It would also move Wisconsin 10 percent of the way to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels and reduce mercury, acid rain and smog emissions. 

Economic activity increased in the study, even though it included slightly higher power prices. The bottom line is that we are better off keeping our energy dollars in state than importing cheaper, more polluting energy from out of state. 

A more recent study on greenhouse gas reductions for the state Department of Natural Resources looked at so-called zero net cost investments in electric energy efficiency measures --investments that pay for themselves over the life of the product. 

These investments would create 8,500 new jobs, $490 million more in disposable income and $41 million more in gross state product by 2010, while moving Wisconsin 21 percent of the way to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels. This could be accomplished while saving consumers $2.7 billion between 1997 and 2010 (a benefit-cost ratio of 2.7). 

The amount of electricity saved through these investments is equivalent to displacing more than 1,300 megawatts of capacity, or the electricity consumed annually by more than 1 million households. 

The fossil fuel industry argues that it is unfair for the United States to take action first to reduce emissions. Yet the United States is largely responsible for the higher levels of carbon dioxide that are already causing climate change. We presently cause over a quarter of the world's global warming emissions, despite having only one-twentieth of the world's population. 

Wisconsin is only 19th among states for emissions, yet we still outrank most nations of the world in global warming emissions. 

If Wisconsin were a nation, it would be the 36th-largest polluting country, in front of Egypt, Greece, Norway, Denmark and 172 other nations. 

Out of 211 total countries, Wisconsin produces more greenhouse gas emissions than the 97 least-emitting nations combined. 

Wisconsin produces as much global warming emissions as New Zealand, Switzerland and Ireland put together. Those three countries have a combined gross domestic product of $244.5 billion, about $100 billion larger than Wisconsin. 

It's clear Wisconsin is responsible for more than its share of global warming emissions and that reducing them won't be harmful to our economy. In fact, it will make our economy leaner and cleaner. 

And while some businesses complain about action on climate change, other Wisconsin companies will benefit hugely. 

Johnson Controls Inc., Glendale, will deliver energy efficiency services all over the world. Kohler Co., Kohler, will sell highly efficient microturbines. Omnion Power Engineering Corp., East Troy, and Milwaukee Gear Co., Milwaukee, will sell renewable energy components. 

Smart companies know that, by being proactive, they will enjoya competitive advantage. 

Bentham Paulos of Madison is the Wisconsin state program coordinator for theUnion of Concerned Scientists, a national group of scientists and citizens working for a healthy environment and a safe world.Visit the UCS web site .