The Southern Governors Association heard from experts this weekend who said global warming and climate change threatens security worldwide and their own states.

Experts say the region's coast could be hurt by rising sea levels within 20 years.

But Southern governors worry about the cap and trade bill now before Congress.

It establishes incentives for new technology like wind and solar.

Kentucky's governor believes the bill would burden southern energy-producing states because they would carry much of the cost.

And some governors say the bill penalizes the South because there is little aid for clean coal technology to keep coal competitive.

Alabama Governor Bob Riley says the region wants to be part of the cap and trade bill only if the South is not penalized.

Tags: cap and trade, pollution, governors, Southern Governors Association