Do you think that the USA should ratify the Kyoto Protocol?

Kyoto Protocol

The 'Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change' is a document that legally binds industrialized nations to reduce their greenhouse gases in accordance with agreed timetables. It was completed in December 1997 after 3 years work. The gases included are Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and Sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆), which are believed to contribute to global warming. Between them, the industrialized countries must cut their combined emissions to 5% below 1990 levels by 2008 - 2012, but each has its own target, depending on their current emissions - some are allowed to increase them. The EU countries' target is an 8% reduction. Poorer countries are not expected to cut emissions.

The Protocol could not come into effect until at least 55 countries had ratified it, which happened in 2002. It was also necessary for ratifying countries to account for at least 55% of emissions. With the USA and Australia deciding not to ratify it (President George W Bush pulled out in 2001), Russia was needed to make this target. Russia eventually ratified on 18 November 2004, so the Protocol could come into force on 16 February 2005 (90 days later).

The USA accounts for about 25% of world emissions. Both the USA and Russia felt that meeting the targets would adversely affect their economies, but Russia felt that it would also gain both politically and by selling credits when emissions trading begins, as its target is 0% change but its output has shrunk by nearly 40%. Many other countries seem unlikely to meet their targets.

In emissions trading, countries may gain credits by reducing their emissions more than is required of them, or by boosting the environment's capacity to absorb carbon. Polluters can buy these credits.

President George W Bush considered the treaty "fatally flawed" as developing countries including China and India (who have both ratified it) are not required to reduce emissions. President Bush prefers voluntary action and new energy technologies.

Scientists feel that Kyoto does not go anywhere near far enough. Nevertheless, it is something upon which to build, which may be preferable to starting again from scratch.

U.S. Mayors Agree to Adhere to Kyoto Pact

The U.S. Conference of Mayors held its 73rd Annual Meeting in Chicago June 10-14. They agreed unanimously to require their cities try and reduce their emissions at least in line with the Kyoto Protocol, if not better. They aim to reduce global warming pollution to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. President Bush is opposed to the Kyoto Protocol on economic grounds, but the mayors disagree.

Britain to back greenhouse gas storage projects

Britain is to help companies fund projects to store greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions under the North Sea into depleted offshore oil and gas fields.

Recent news stories involving the Kyoto Protocol include:

• How Exxon Influenced Bush June 08 2005
• Science Academies Urge Greenhouse Gas Cuts June 07 2005
• U.N. seeks climate 'roadmap' beyond Kyoto May 17 2005
• U.S. Mayors Support Global Warming Treaty May 17 2005
• U.N. climate talks start hunt for Kyoto successor May 16 2005
• Greenhouse gas trade growing sharply-World Bank May 11 2005
• Kyoto Protocol Tough for Emerging Economies-Seoul March 24 2005
• Experts Discuss Nuclear Power As Energy March 22 2005
• EU Ministers Want Tough Post-Kyoto Emission March 10 2005
• Red Tape and Risk Frustrate Kyoto's CDM Scheme March 10 2005
• 100 World Cities in Britain's Climate Rescue Drive March 01 2005
• U.S., Germany to Agree Climate Change Measures February 25 2005
• Bush Disappoints Europe with Climate Change Ideas February 21 2005
• Britain Criticizes U.S. Climate Record February 18 2005
• Proponents Want U.S. to Join Kyoto Pact February 17 2005

Please see the following message for the remaining stories.

Study: Fertilizers Harm Freshwater Lakes, Study: Lakes Face Major Pollution

Lakes are even more at risk from application of chemical fertilizers than previously thought. Nutrients such as phosphorus lead to excessive enrichment of the water, causing algae and plants to grow excessively - a process called eutrophication. The result can be dead fish and smelly weed-filled swamps.

S.Africa opposes Japan's plan to expand whale hunt

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) is due to meet in South Korea from June 20-24. Japan wants whaling to resume, but South Africa is opposed.

Reason for New Mad Cow Tests Still Unknown

The reason why the Agriculture Department has suddenly ordered new tests on a cow tested and cleared of mad cow disease 7 months ago has not been revealed. The latest test in the USA has come back positive and a sample is being sent to Britain for further study.

Rare Cave Crawfish Spurs Environment Study

The rarest crawfish in the world is the blind cave crawfish living in an area near Elm Springs, Arkansas. The Nature Conservancy is studying the environment with a view to preventing development-related changes to the ecosystem that would endanger it.

Research: Snakes Have Interesting Habits

Researchers at Washington University have observed rattlers swimming and climbing trees and catching rainwater to drink in a cup made from their own coils. Click on the link above to learn more interesting habits and facts.

Photo: courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Ariz. Officials May Import Endangered Owls

Endangered cactus ferruginous pygmy owls are so rare in Arizona (less than 20 pairs) that wildlife officials are considering importing some from Mexico. Their numbers have been reduced due to urban sprawl, logging, livestock overgrazing and drought. Other ways of protecting them by protecting their habitat are also underway.

Giant Catfish to Be Released in Cambodia

Giant Catfish are thought to be on the verge of extinction in Cambodia, so four 7-year-old specimens are to be released into the Mekong River.

Photo: courtesy of U.S. NOAA

Tsunami pushes leatherback turtles toward brink

The December 26 2004 tsunami washed away some of the most important nesting beaches for leatherback turtles in India's Nicobar islands, pushing them closer to extinction.

Okla. AG Files Lawsuit Vs. Poultry Firms

14 poultry companies have been accused by the Oklahoma Attorney General of polluting northeastern Oklahoma water with animal waste.

Mexicans Return Home at Base of Volcano

Mexico's Volcano of Fire has quietened a little and residents have been allowed to return to their homes.

Quake Kills 10 in Chile's Andean Region

A magnitude 7.9 quake struck a northern Andean region in northern Chile. Ten people were killed.

Kansas Dig May Have Found Early Campsite

Radiocarbon dating results from last year's dig near Kanorado near the Colorado-Kansas border showed 12,200-year-old bones had been found, 700 years earlier than humans had been thought to have arrived in the Great Plains. The mammoth and prehistoric camel bones appear to have human tool marks on them. This year the archaeologists are hoping to find tools.

Do you think that the USA should ratify the Kyoto Protocol?

[Views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of CompuServe, Netscape, any government, agency, or news organization. External Websites are "At Your Own Risk," and no endorsement is expressed or implied.]