The Kyoto Protocol and Global Warming
The aim of the Kyoto Protocol is to prevent countries from causing global warming through human activity. There are some natural forces that contribute to global warming. However, it is the disruption of the climate by humans that is most damaging. This is what is addressed in the Kyoto Protocol.
The developed countries of the world have made commitments to reducing emissions in a timely manner. They have target dates and set levels they are supposed to reach by those times. There are six greenhouse gases that are meant to be reduced by 5% in the next few years. Three of these are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. If these countries are successful, it will reduce global warming.
It is interesting that, while many countries have agreed to reduce emissions, some countries will be allowed to raise emissions. These countries are Norway, Australia, and Iceland. These countries control global warming by keeping their increases to a certain level.
Other countries are asked to simply maintain the levels of emissions they already have. Countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and New Zealand do their part against global warming by maintaining the status quo.
The goals of the Kyoto Protocol to decrease global warming are supposed to be realized between the years 2008-2012. It seems that this will be a near impossibility at this point for many countries. The US especially is turning its back on the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol. The initiative is given lip service by the powers that be, but real progress has been slow coming.
One way developed countries can receive credit under the Kyoto protocol is to help others. If developed countries sponsor emissions reducing programs in developing countries, they receive credit for this. It shows their commitment to the reduction of global warming.
Yet, not all developed countries have adopted the Kyoto Protocol. One glaring example is the US. As of December 2006, the US was one of the 169 governments that had signed the agreement to cut down on global warming. However, it did not ratify the agreement, so the treaty has no power in the US. Another hold-out was Australia.
There were two conditions that needed to be met to put this treaty into full legal force. One was that 55 countries needed to sign up. That condition was met in 2002. In 2005, the other condition was met when 55% of the developed countries had joined the effort to stop global warming.
The Kyoto Protocol was designed to hold developed countries up to a high standard. Developed countries are not only expected to create ways to reduce global warming. They are also rewarded if they help other countries to do the same. When every developed country joins in the struggle to reduce global warming, the earth will reap the benefits.
Comments
Menu
My Articles
The Economics Of Global WarmingHow Agriculture Is Affected By Global Warming
Possible Short-Term Benefits Of Global Warming
Research On Global Warming
Forestry And Global Warming
The History Of The Movement To Stop Global Warming
Forecasting The Future Of Global Warming
Transportation Issues And Global Warming
The Basics Of Global Warming
Celebrities Weigh In On Global Warming
Global Warming And Building Green
What The Other Side Is Saying About Global Warming
How You Can Fight Global Warming At Home
How Global Warming Affects The Ecosystems
The IPCC Reports On Global Warming
Health Concerns Related To Global Warming
Movies On Global Warming
The Kyoto Protocol And Global Warming
The US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement On Global Warming
What Can Nations Do To Combat Global Warming?
Climate Changes Due To Global Warming
Global Warming And The Significance Of Rising Water Temperatures
Could Global Warming Cause A New Ice Age?
The Effects Of Extreme Events Caused By Global Warming
My Articles The Basics Of Global Warming Scientists, celebrities, and everyday people have been.. How You Can Fight Global Warming At Home There are steps you can take to fight global warming in your home and car... The History Of The Movement To Stop Global Warming People have not always known about global warming. The idea had to.. |
|
|
Related News:
|