The Effect of the Kyoto-Protocol on the Earth

The Effect of the Kyoto-Protocol on the Earth

In the article “Global-warming Rules Begin Feb.16” by Traci Watson published in USA Today, Watson’s explanation is that this protocol on global warming is likely to have a ripple effect on the USA, even though U.S. leaders have bowed out of this treaty to avoid its potential impacts on the economy. It seems to other writers that carbon dioxide may not contribute so much to global warming and that this protocol will have a bad influence upon the economy. On the up side, however, the amount of fossil fuel use in the entire earth will certainly be decreased by the Kyoto Protocol. Consequently, improvement of air quality and environmental preservation in the entire earth should be promoted.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted in 1992 to address global warming and was brought into force in 1994. The third session of the Conference of the Parties to UNFCCC (COP3) was held in Kyoto in 1997, where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted. The Protocol stipulates that 38 countries, including developed countries and economies in transition, will reduce their Green House Gases (GHGs) including CO2 respectively to total emissions 5.2% below the 1990 level during the period from 2008 to 2012. For example, reduction below 1990 levels of 8% is required for the EU, 7% for the U.S., 6% for Japan, and 0% for Russia.

Even though the protocol was adopted, this treaty can take effect only if it gets approval from countries with an emissions cap whose aggregate 1990’s emissions is more than 55% of the total CO2 emissions in 1990 of capped parties. The share of the U.S. in 1990 was 36.1%, that of Japan was 8.5% and that of Russia was 17.4%. This treaty had go...

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Consequently, what I want to suggest is that the rate of fossil fuel use in the entire earth will be decreased by the Kyoto Protocol. It is clear that improvements at least in air quality and environmental preservation in the entire earth are promoted by the plan. Furthermore, there is still the possibility of GHG reductions mitigating global warming.

Works Cited

Patterson, Tim. ”Climate Change.” EnviroTruth.org. 10 April 2002.

<http://www.envirotruth.org/climete_change_debate.cfm>

Tatsuyoshi, Saijo. ”The Kyoto Protocol and Global Environmental Strategies of the EU, the U.S. and Japan.” January 2002.

< http://www.iser.osaka-u.ac.jp/~saijo/pdffiles/kpjan02.pdf>

Watson, Traci. ”U.S., Not Part of Kyoto Pact, Will Still Feel its Effects.” USA Today. 24 November 2004.

<http://search.epnet.com.prxy4.ursus.maine.edu/login.aspx>