Pennsylvania is one of three states that individually emit more global warming causing carbon dioxide than the combined emissions of 101 developing nations, according to a new report by the National Environmental Trust.

The report highlighting the United States' role as the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter is part of an effort by environmental groups to rally public support for swift, mandatory, national and state policies to reduce those emissions.

"The focus of this report's release is especially timely, coming as it does after the Bali conference which focused on cutting greenhouse gas emissions after 2012," said Meredith Montalto, Pennsylvania organizer for the National Environmental Trust. "Given that Pennsylvania is a top carbon dioxide polluter it carries special responsibility."

Pennsylvania utilities, industries and vehicles emit more greenhouse gases than Poland, a developed nation with three times the state's population. Only two other states -- Texas and California -- are bigger emitters, according to the 150-page report released yesterday.

The report urges the U.S. and individual states and local municipalities to break the logjam that developed following the Kyoto accord and take the lead in adopting policies that mandate greenhouse gas emission reductions. It also encourages developing nations to enact and expand on their own emission reduction policies before they are subject to the binding targets of future treaties.

Brian Hill, president and chief executive officer of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, said climate change will take a heavy toll on Pennsylvania unless the state takes strong steps to conserve energy, promote renewable alternative energy sources and manage sprawl.

Speaking from Harrisburg, Mr. Hill praised pending legislation aimed at controlling emissions and a Rendell administration "Energy Independence Strategy" plan slated for release early next year, but said utilities and energy industries are lobbying against those initiatives.

The Pennsylvania Coal Association, a Harrisburg-based lobbying organization representing the industry, was unavailable for comment yesterday afternoon.

State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware County, who participated in a conference call that released the report, said polls show the public is out in front of the state Legislature in accepting the need to act decisively on climate change issues.

"The politicians have acknowledged it as a real problem but not to the point that they're able to take tough steps on legislation," Mr. Vitale said. "I think that's affecting our ability to get a state energy strategy passed."

Mr. Hill said the Environmental Council's "Climate Change Roadmap" released in June predicts the state predicts's greenhouse gas emissions will rise significantly without significant changes in the state's energy policy.

"Because of climate change we're going to see changes in the state's agriculture, changes in its recreation and changes in the kinds of species found in the state," Mr. Hill said. "So action is needed."