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The Kyoto Protocol and Global Warming
from:The Kyoto Protocol was set up in a session of the United Nations in Japan in the year 1997. This initiative was set forth to reduce harmful emissions and to lessen global warming. It was adopted and contains goals for emissions that are legally binding for the countries involved.
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.
James Hansen + Global Warming News
But no major effect expected on metro Atlanta - Atlanta Journal Constitution
 The Associated Press | But no major effect expected on metro Atlanta Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - While heavy rain is forecast for the southern part of the state, forecasters at the National Weather Service do not expect Fay to have a major effect on the ... Unusual temps hit Tri-Lakes Area Region to enjoy extended stretch of nice weather Wednesday's weather: Warming trend over the next few days |
Hazardous weather outlook issued for Greene County - News-Leader.com
Hazardous weather outlook issued for Greene County News-Leader.com, MO - The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for several portions of the Ozarks, including Greene County, for this afternoon and ... Worsening weather condition seen WEATHER: Partly cloudy after fog in the Salinas-Monterey area Forecast: Sunny, high near 84 |
Expect rain to linger beyond Friday - Gainesville Sun
 Jackson County Floridan | Expect rain to linger beyond Friday Gainesville Sun, FL - But rain would still be falling into Saturday, National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Letro cautioned. Alachua County officials and representatives ... From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel As Fay continues, Lee couple remembers Flood of '94 Which way will Fay go? |
The buzz: Australian all weather bee flight facility opened - Nature.com (subscription)
The buzz: Australian all weather bee flight facility opened Nature.com (subscription), UK - This makes bees a good research model, and easy to study if you have the new A$2.5 million All Weather Bee Flight Facility. ... |
Agency eyes funding for weather sats - The Daily Yomiuri
Agency eyes funding for weather sats The Daily Yomiuri, Japan - The government has been operating the two Himawari satellites, hoping to prevent a glitch in one from hampering its satellite weather forecasting system. ... |