US president, George W Bush has announced long-awaited energy plans to boost oil, nuclear and coal power production to avert a pressing American power shortage.

"If we fail to act, this country could face a darker future. If we fail to act, Americans, will face more and more widespread blackouts," he said. The plan has met with a predictably hostile response form environmentalists.

A group made up of 17 of the world's most prestigious science bodies have published a joint statement in the US journal "Science" backing the Kyoto accords.