Difference between revisions of "Kyoto Protocol"
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| − | The '''Kyoto Protocol''' is a 1997 treaty | + | The '''Kyoto Protocol''' (named after the [[Japan|Japanese]] city in which it was drafted) is a 1997 treaty backed by the [[United Nations]] concerning [[greenhouse gas]] emissions. It commits 39 participating industrial nations to a combined 5% reduction (from 1990 levels) in climate-damaging emission the year 2012. |
The stated goal of the treaty is to vastly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the signed countries. Supporters say that the treaty is crucially needed to prevent a global environmental tragedy. Opponents say it's a lot of hot air to justify [[wealth redistribution]] on a global scale, and greater control by governments of businesses. | The stated goal of the treaty is to vastly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the signed countries. Supporters say that the treaty is crucially needed to prevent a global environmental tragedy. Opponents say it's a lot of hot air to justify [[wealth redistribution]] on a global scale, and greater control by governments of businesses. | ||
Revision as of 16:19, July 31, 2007
The Kyoto Protocol (named after the Japanese city in which it was drafted) is a 1997 treaty backed by the United Nations concerning greenhouse gas emissions. It commits 39 participating industrial nations to a combined 5% reduction (from 1990 levels) in climate-damaging emission the year 2012.
The stated goal of the treaty is to vastly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the signed countries. Supporters say that the treaty is crucially needed to prevent a global environmental tragedy. Opponents say it's a lot of hot air to justify wealth redistribution on a global scale, and greater control by governments of businesses.
The Kyoto Protocol became effective on February 16, 2005, requiring the European Union to reduce its average emissions between the years 2008 and 2012 by 8% relative to 1990 levels.
The United States, while it negotiated the treaty during the Clinton administration, has only signed the protocol, but has adamantly refused to ratify it. The Senate voted 93-0 not even to bring ratification up for a vote, as the treaty does not apply to developing nations like India and China and would cripple the U.S. economy while having no measurable effect on the environment.