global warming & the kyoto protocols. the topic of global warming inspires heated debates among...

Global Warming & the Global Warming & the Kyoto Protocols Kyoto Protocols

The topic of global warming inspires The topic of global warming inspires heated debates among world heated debates among world leaders.leaders.

Industry representatives & (vs.) Industry representatives & (vs.) environmentalists!environmentalists!

there is a strong consensus in the scientific there is a strong consensus in the scientific community that the greenhouse effect is a real community that the greenhouse effect is a real phenomenon, and that humans are adding to phenomenon, and that humans are adding to concentrations of greenhouse gases in the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.atmosphere.

However, much remains unknown about the long-However, much remains unknown about the long-term consequences of (anthropogenic) activity on the term consequences of (anthropogenic) activity on the

climateclimate..

• Greenhouse gases--water vapor, carbon Greenhouse gases--water vapor, carbon dioxide, dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons, and nitrous oxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons, and ozone trap heat in the atmosphere instead of allowing it to ozone trap heat in the atmosphere instead of allowing it to radiate back into space.radiate back into space.

• However, human activities are increasing the levels of these However, human activities are increasing the levels of these gases in the atmosphere, causing an 'enhanced greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing an 'enhanced greenhouse effect' that traps more heat. There is evidence that climate effect' that traps more heat. There is evidence that climate warming is already underway.warming is already underway.

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported that The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported that the twentieth century was the hottest in the last thousand the twentieth century was the hottest in the last thousand years.years.

The Kyoto protocolsThe Kyoto protocols

The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the international Framework the international Framework Convention on Climate Change with Convention on Climate Change with the objective of reducing Greenhouse the objective of reducing Greenhouse gases that cause climate change.gases that cause climate change.

The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement made under the United Nations made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).Change (UNFCCC).

It was agreed on 11 December 1997.It was agreed on 11 December 1997.

Countries that ratify this protocol Countries that ratify this protocol commit to reduce their emissions of commit to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and five other carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases, or engage in greenhouse gases, or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases.increase emissions of these gases.

The Kyoto Protocol now covers more The Kyoto Protocol now covers more than 170 countries globally and more than 170 countries globally and more than 60% of countries in terms of than 60% of countries in terms of global greenhouse gas emissions. As global greenhouse gas emissions. As of December 2007, the US and of December 2007, the US and Kazakhstan are the only signatoryKazakhstan are the only signatory nations not to have ratified the act.nations not to have ratified the act.

The InterThe Intergovernmental governmental Panel Panel on Climateon Climate ChangeChange (IPCC) has predicted an(IPCC) has predicted an average average global global rise inrise in temperaturetemperature of 1.4°C (2.5°F) of 1.4°C (2.5°F) to 5.8 °C (10.4°F) between 1990 and 2100).to 5.8 °C (10.4°F) between 1990 and 2100).

ContinuingContinuing

Germany has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 17.2% Germany has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 17.2% between 1990 and 2004.between 1990 and 2004.

The energy policy of the United Kingdom fully endorses goals The energy policy of the United Kingdom fully endorses goals for carbon dioxide emissions reduction and has committed to for carbon dioxide emissions reduction and has committed to proportionate reduction in national emissions on a phased proportionate reduction in national emissions on a phased basis.basis.

In 1990, France shut down its last coal mine, In 1990, France shut down its last coal mine, and now gets 80% of its electricity from and now gets 80% of its electricity from nuclear power and therefore has relatively low nuclear power and therefore has relatively low CO2 emissionsCO2 emissions

The United States was, as of 2005, The United States was, as of 2005, the largest single emitter of carbon the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels. fuels.

Regions, from largest emitter to Regions, from largest emitter to the smallest.the smallest.

1. The USA & Canada: 1. The USA & Canada: 2. Western Europe (plus Germany)2. Western Europe (plus Germany) 3 .Communist East Asia (China, North Korea, Mongolia, etc.)3 .Communist East Asia (China, North Korea, Mongolia, etc.) 4. Eastern Europe, Russia, and Former Soviet States: 4. Eastern Europe, Russia, and Former Soviet States: 5.India & Southeast Asia (plus South Korea): 5.India & Southeast Asia (plus South Korea): 6. Australia, Japan & other Pacific Island States6. Australia, Japan & other Pacific Island States 7. Central & South America (includes Mexico and the 7. Central & South America (includes Mexico and the

Caribbean)Caribbean) 8. The Middle East8. The Middle East 9. Africa9. Africa

As of 2000.As of 2000.

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