Earth has warmed by about 1ºF over the past 100 years. But why? And how? Well, scientists are not exactly sure. The Earth could be getting warmer on its own, but many of the world's leading climate scientists think that things people do are helping to make the Earth warmer.

Greenhouse Effect, Climate Change, and Global Warming

The Greenhouse Effect: Scientists are sure about the greenhouse effect. They know that greenhouse gases make the Earth warmer by trapping energy in the atmosphere.

Climate Change: Climate is the long-term average of a region's weather events lumped together. For example, it's possible that a winter day in Buffalo, New York, could be sunny and mild, but the average weather – the climate – tells us that Buffalo's winters will mainly be cold and include snow and rain. Climate change represents a change in these long-term weather patterns. They can become warmer or colder. Annual amounts of rainfall or snowfall can increase or decrease.

Global Warming: Global warming refers to an average increase in the Earth's temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate. A warmer Earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. When scientists talk about the issue of climate change, their concern is about global warming caused by human activities.

Governments around the world are working to try and reduce greenhouse gases and global warming. In 1997 the UN met in Kyoto Japan and developed the Kyoto Protocol.

Task:

Read the Kyoto Protocol here.

Answer questions from reading and web research – learning as much as possible about the Kyoto Protocol

Presentation – create a multimedia presentation (Powerpoint) to demonstrate what you have learned personal views, problems and solutions.

Letter writing – compose a letter to the government or those organizations active in environmentalist activities. The destination of the letter depends on you and how you best wish to express them.

Process:

Answer the following questions:

1. Why is the protocol important?
2. When will the protocol go into affect?
3. List 5 countries and 3 annexed countries involved
4. What is the current US oil consumption?
5. What is the ozone? Why is it important?
6. What damages the ozone? How does it damage it?
7. What are some issues facing the Kyoto protocol?
8. What countries oppose the protocol and why?’
9. What are ways people can save energy on an individual basis?
10. What is a current event in a country that is in alignment with the protocol?

Resources:

Kyoto protocol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol

actual documents

http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/kpeng.html

Global warming

http://www.globalwarming.org/

http://www.climatehotmap.org/

Environmental news

http://www.npr.org/templates/topics/topic.php?topicId=1025

http://vitalgraphics.grida.no/kyoto/

http://www.iisd.ca/climate/ba/perspectives.html

http://cop3.org/

http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/gsteps.asp

What are some countries doing about it now?

http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l28044.htm

http://www.unido.org/doc/3941

http://ipsnews.net/new_focus/kyoto/index.asp

http://www.climatechange.govt.nz/about/kyoto.html

Ways we can change

http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/altenerg.htm

http://www.cc.utah.edu/~ptt25660/tran.html

Current alt energy news

http://www.topix.net/tech/alt-energy

US oil consumption

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/usa.html

www.enrg.lsu.edu/news/Caruso_ces.ppt

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0004691.html

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/ene_oil_con

http://www.energy.gov/engine/content.do

greenhouse gases

http://yosemite.epa.gov/OAR/globalwarming.nsf/content/Emissions.html

http://www.grida.no/db/maps/collection/climate6/

Presentation – create a multimedia presentation (Powerpoint) to explain to the class what the issues are that created the Kyoto Protocol. Demonstrate the problems and solutions with the protocol and your personal views. Site examples of current events or situations that are relevant to the Protocol. Your presentation should be 5-10 minutes.

Discuss and debate – break up into groups of 4. Each student is a UN member representing countries in North America, Africa, Asia and Europe. You are to select separate countries and learn as much as you can about your countries position. Share with each other your countries’ view points regarding greenhouse gases, economic and political issues and how the Kyoto Protocol affects your country. Discuss how your country and region can or cannot accept terms with each other to create your own agreement.

Position of Russia

Vladimir Putin approved the treaty on November 4, 2004 and Russia officially notified the United Nations of its ratification on November 18, 2004. With that, the Russian ratification is complete. The issue of Russian ratification was particularly closely watched in the international community, as the accord was brought into force 90 days after Russian ratification (February 16, 2005).

President Putin had earlier decided in favour of the protocol in September 2004, along with the Russian cabinet. As anticipated after this, ratification by the lower and upper house of parliament did not encounter any obstacles.

The Kyoto Protocol limits emissions to a percentage increase or decrease from their 1990 levels. Since 1990 the economies of most countries in the former Soviet Union have collapsed, as have their greenhouse gas emissions. Because of this, Russia should have no problem meeting its commitments under Kyoto, as its current emission levels are substantially below its targets. Indeed, it may be able to benefit from selling emissions credits to other countries in the Kyoto Protocol, which are currently using more than their target levels of emissions.

Other references

http://www.enviroliteracy.org/subcategory.php/275.html

Position of the European Union

On May 31, 2002, all fifteen then-members of the European Union deposited the relevant ratification paperwork at the UN. The EU produces around 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and has agreed to a cut, on average, by 8% from 1990 emission levels. The EU has consistently been one of the major supporters of the Kyoto Protocol, negotiating hard to get wavering countries on board.

In December, 2002, the EU created a system of emissions trading in an effort to meet these tough targets. Quotas were introduced in six key industries: energy, steel, cement, glass, brick making, and paper/cardboard. There are also fines for member nations that fail to meet their obligations, starting at €40/ton of carbon dioxide in 2005, and rising to €100/ton in 2008. Current EU projections suggest that by 2008 the EU will be at 4.7% below 1990 levels.

Other references

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/07/07/europe/web.0707blair.php

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=31&art_id=qw996248102997B245

Position of the United States

The United States, although a signatory to the protocol, has neither ratified nor withdrawn from the protocol. The protocol is non-binding over the United States unless ratified.

On June 25, 1997, before the Kyoto Protocol was to be negotiated, the U.S. Senate passed by a 95-0 vote the Byrd-Hagel Resolution (S. Res. 98), which stated the sense of the Senate was that the United States should not be a signatory to any protocol that did not include binding targets and timetables for developing as well as industrialized nations or "would result in serious harm to the economy of the United States". On November 12, 1998, Vice President Al Gore symbolically signed the protocol. Aware of the Senate's view of the protocol, the Clinton Administration never submitted the protocol for ratification.

The Clinton Administration released an economic analysis in July 1998, prepared by the Council of Economic Advisors, which concluded that with emissions trading among the Annex B/Annex I countries, and participation of key developing countries in the "Clean Development Mechanism" — which grants the latter business-as-usual emissions rates through 2012 — the costs of implementing the Kyoto Protocol could be reduced as much as 60% from many estimates. Other economic analyses, however, prepared by the Congressional Budget Office and the Department of Energy Energy Information Administration (EIA), and others, demonstrated a potentially large decline in GDP from implementing the Protocol.

The current President, George W. Bush, has indicated that he does not intend to submit the treaty for ratification, not because he does not support the general idea, but because of the strain he believes the treaty would put on the economy; he emphasises the uncertainties he asserts are present in the climate change issue. Furthermore, he is not happy with the details of the treaty. For example, he does not support the split between Annex I countries and others. Bush said of the treaty:

The world's second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases is China. Yet, China was entirely exempted from the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol. This is a challenge that requires a 100 percent effort; ours, and the rest of the world's. America's unwillingness to embrace a flawed treaty should not be read by our friends and allies as any abdication of responsibility. To the contrary, my administration is committed to a leadership role on the issue of climate change. Our approach must be consistent with the long-term goal of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

China emits 2,893 million metric tons of CO2 per year (2.3 tons per capita). This compares to 5,410 million from the U.S. (20.1 tons per capita), and 3,171 million from the EU (8.5 tons per capita). Even though China is currently exempted, it has since ratified the Kyoto Protocol and is expected to declare itself an Annex I country within the next decade and make itself no longer be exempted. In fact, China's per capita emission is among the lowest ones in the world. The U.S. based NGO Natural Resources Defense Council stated in June 2001 that: "By switching from coal to cleaner energy sources, initiating energy efficiency programs, and restructuring its economy, China has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions 17 percent since 1997".

In June 2002, the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the "Climate Action Report 2002". Some observers have interpreted this report as being supportive of the protocol, although the report itself does not explicitly endorse the protocol. Later that year, Congressional researchers who examined the legal status of the Protocol advised that signature of the UNFCCC imposes an obligation to refrain from undermining the Protocol's object and purpose, and that while the President probably can not implement the Protocol alone, Congress can create compatible laws on its own initiative.

The prospect of the U.S. staying outside the agreement influenced a number of other countries including Australia, Japan, and Canada to discuss whether they should ratify the agreement, putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage with the U.S. While Japan and Canada ultimately decided to ratify the protocol, Australia's current government has said it will not ratify. Although the major opposition parties have committed to ratification if in a position to do so, Prime Minister Howard was reelected in the 2004 election so it seems unlikely that Australia will support the treaty in the near future.

In June 2005, State Department papers showed the administration thanking Exxon executives for the company's "active involvement" in helping to determine climate change policy, including the US stance on Kyoto. Input from the business lobby group Global Climate Coalition was also a factor.

At the G-8 meeting in June 2005 administration officials expressed a desire for "practical commitments industrialized countries can meet without damaging their economies". According to those same officials, the United States is on track to fulfill its pledge to reduce its carbon intensity 18 percent by 2012.

At the ASEAN regional forum on July 28, 2005, the United States agreed to sign the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate along with the People's Republic of China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. The pact allows those countries to set their goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions individually, but with no enforcement mechanism. See article Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate

Other references:

http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/rm/6633.htm

http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/u-s-withdraws-from-kyoto-pro

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/03/20010314.html

Position of Australia

Australia has refused to sign the Agreement due to issues with the protocol. The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, has argued that the protocol would cost Australians jobs, and that Australia is already doing enough to cut emissions. The Federal Opposition, the Australian Labor Party is in full support of the protocol and it is currently a heavily debated issue within the political establishment. Australia is the world's second-largest emitter per capita of greenhouse gases.

The Australian government, along with the United States, has agreed to sign the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate at the ASEAN regional forum on July 28, 2005.

Other References:

http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/SCI/kyoto.htm

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/06/1094322712739.html?oneclick=true

Position of China

The world's second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases is China. Yet, China was entirely exempted from the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol.

China emits 2,893 million metric tons of CO2 per year (2.3 tons per capita). This compares to 5,410 million from the U.S. (20.1 tons per capita), and 3,171 million from the EU (8.5 tons per capita). Even though China is currently exempted, it has since ratified the Kyoto Protocol and is expected to declare itself an Annex I country within the next decade and make itself no longer be exempted. In fact, China's per capita emission is among the lowest ones in the world. The U.S. based NGO Natural Resources Defense Council stated in June 2001 that: "By switching from coal to cleaner energy sources, initiating energy efficiency programs, and restructuring its economy, China has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions 17 percent since 1997".

Other References

http://www.newstarget.com/006185.html

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/US,_five_Asian_nations_announce_climate_change_partnership

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-59369.html

Letter Writing:

Compose a letter that you will send to the Colorado Senator’s office regarding the Kyoto Protocol and CO2 emissions asking Colorado to comply the protocol by presenting and substantiating your views on Kyoto ratification. Your letter should show that you have an in-depth understanding of the issues, suggest a reasonable solution and be polite. Remember, your letter will be read by people with strong feelings in the matter, being rude, inconsiderate, or forceful will do more harm then good.

Colorado
 
Sen. Wayne Allard (R) Fax: 202-224-6471
Sen. Ken Salazar (D) Fax: 202-224-1933
Rep. Diana Degette (D-1) Fax: 202-225-5657
Rep. Mark Udall (D-2) Fax: 202-226-7840
Rep. John Salazar (D-3) Fax: 202-226-0622
Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-4) Fax: 202-225-5870
Rep. Joel Hefley (R-5)  Fax: 202-225-1942
Rep. Thomas Tancredo (R-6) Fax: 202-226-4623
Rep. Bob Beauprez (R-7) Fax: 202-225-5278

Conclusion

I hope that you can now understand greenhouse gases and emissions and what can be done to reduce them. The Kyoto protocol is something that is very interesting and I hope that you learned more about it and the complexities it faces. By becoming more aware of your and other’s actions in the environment we can all make this a better world to live in.

In the words of Thomas Jefferson:

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."

Ruberic