Kyoto Protocol

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement signed in Kyoto, Japan that will reduce and stabilize the effect of greenhouse gasses on our environment. The protocol was adopted at the third session of the Conference parties in December 1997. With all the talk of global warming this protocol is doing its share to prevent harmful substances that are being released into our atmosphere. The agreement requires countries to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change oversees the Kyoto Protocol. All countries have not yet signed it, but there have been 166 states that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC. The developed countries that entered the treaty must commit themselves to reduce their emissions of six key greenhouse gases by 5%. Each country must achieve this goal by the year 2012.

After reading about the protocol I was shocked to find out that the United States has not yet committed to ratify. The United States is the top polluter and claims that it would be too costly and that the agreement isn't accurate enough. The United States must enter the treaty on the grounds of making a statement to other countries and providing support for the cure to global warming. As the worlds leading polluter, we could make a difference by showing that it is possible to change harmful ways and provide suitable solutions to such a devastating problem. If we don't change the way we are treating our environment today there is no telling how the earth will be for the future.