rocksea
28th November 2005, 07:40 AM
Kyoto Protocol is something most of us have an idea of(?!!).
If not, as an Oceanographer, you SHOULD.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40840000/gif/_40840279_c02_emitters2_gra203.gif
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41059000/gif/_41059132_kyotoworstgra416.gif
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement setting targets for industrialised countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol was agreed in 1997, based on principles set out in a framework convention signed in 1992.
These gases are considered at least partly responsible for global warming - the rise in global temperature which may have catastrophic consequences for life on Earth.
The targeted gases are mainly:
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Methane (CH4)
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
What are the targets?
Industrialised countries have committed to cut their combined emissions to 5% below 1990 levels by 2008 - 2012.
Each country that signed the protocol agreed to its own specific target. EU countries are expected to cut their present emissions by 8% and Japan by 5%. Some countries with low emissions were permitted to increase them.
Russia initially wavered over signing the protocol, amid speculation that it was jockeying for more favourable terms. But the country's cabinet agreed to back Kyoto in September 2004.
When did the Kyoto Protocol come into force?
The Kyoto Protocol became a legally binding treaty on 16 February 2005. It could only come into force after two conditions had been fulfilled:
It had been ratified by at least 55 countries
It had been ratified by nations accounting for at least 55% of emissions from what the Treaty calls "Annex 1" countries - 38 industrialised countries given targets for reducing emissions, plus Belarus, Turkey and now Kazakhstan.
The first target was met in 2002. But following the decision of the United States and Australia not to ratify, Russia's position became crucial for the fulfilment of the second condition. It finally did ratify on 18 November 2004, and the Kyoto Protocol came into force 90 days later - on 16 February 2005. The targets for reducing emissions then become binding on all the Annex 1 countries which have ratified the Protocol. The two main countries which have not are Australia and the USA.
US President George W Bush pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, saying implementing it would gravely damage the US economy:confused: . Yesterday I saw a documentary where they said though US pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol, some of the mayors from different states decided to pursue it. That is good move :thumbsup:
Now, Montreal Summit
A major climate change conference is to begin in Montreal, Canada. It is the first United Nations climate conference since the Kyoto agreement came into force earlier this year.
Much of the formal agenda will be devoted to technical decisions on how its targets on cutting emissions will be met over the next seven years.
But it is also the conference where discussions will begin on what happens after those targets expire in 2012. As host government, the Canadians are trying to find a formula which would enable the US, other industrialised countries and the developing nations to unite under a combined statement on future action.
But the US it seems is trying to resist pursuing it.
Ref: BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4471926.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4269921.stm
Other Recent News related: CO2 'highest for 650,000 years'
Current levels of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere are higher now than at any time in the past 650,000 years.
That is the conclusion of new European studies looking at ice taken from 3km below the surface of Antarctica.
The scientists say their research shows present day warming to be exceptional. Other research, also published in the journal Science, suggests that sea levels may be rising twice as fast now as in previous centuries.
more at BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4467420.stm
If not, as an Oceanographer, you SHOULD.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40840000/gif/_40840279_c02_emitters2_gra203.gif
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41059000/gif/_41059132_kyotoworstgra416.gif
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement setting targets for industrialised countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol was agreed in 1997, based on principles set out in a framework convention signed in 1992.
These gases are considered at least partly responsible for global warming - the rise in global temperature which may have catastrophic consequences for life on Earth.
The targeted gases are mainly:
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Methane (CH4)
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
What are the targets?
Industrialised countries have committed to cut their combined emissions to 5% below 1990 levels by 2008 - 2012.
Each country that signed the protocol agreed to its own specific target. EU countries are expected to cut their present emissions by 8% and Japan by 5%. Some countries with low emissions were permitted to increase them.
Russia initially wavered over signing the protocol, amid speculation that it was jockeying for more favourable terms. But the country's cabinet agreed to back Kyoto in September 2004.
When did the Kyoto Protocol come into force?
The Kyoto Protocol became a legally binding treaty on 16 February 2005. It could only come into force after two conditions had been fulfilled:
It had been ratified by at least 55 countries
It had been ratified by nations accounting for at least 55% of emissions from what the Treaty calls "Annex 1" countries - 38 industrialised countries given targets for reducing emissions, plus Belarus, Turkey and now Kazakhstan.
The first target was met in 2002. But following the decision of the United States and Australia not to ratify, Russia's position became crucial for the fulfilment of the second condition. It finally did ratify on 18 November 2004, and the Kyoto Protocol came into force 90 days later - on 16 February 2005. The targets for reducing emissions then become binding on all the Annex 1 countries which have ratified the Protocol. The two main countries which have not are Australia and the USA.
US President George W Bush pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, saying implementing it would gravely damage the US economy:confused: . Yesterday I saw a documentary where they said though US pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol, some of the mayors from different states decided to pursue it. That is good move :thumbsup:
Now, Montreal Summit
A major climate change conference is to begin in Montreal, Canada. It is the first United Nations climate conference since the Kyoto agreement came into force earlier this year.
Much of the formal agenda will be devoted to technical decisions on how its targets on cutting emissions will be met over the next seven years.
But it is also the conference where discussions will begin on what happens after those targets expire in 2012. As host government, the Canadians are trying to find a formula which would enable the US, other industrialised countries and the developing nations to unite under a combined statement on future action.
But the US it seems is trying to resist pursuing it.
Ref: BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4471926.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4269921.stm
Other Recent News related: CO2 'highest for 650,000 years'
Current levels of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere are higher now than at any time in the past 650,000 years.
That is the conclusion of new European studies looking at ice taken from 3km below the surface of Antarctica.
The scientists say their research shows present day warming to be exceptional. Other research, also published in the journal Science, suggests that sea levels may be rising twice as fast now as in previous centuries.
more at BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4467420.stm