Download The desire to evoke a change is a powerful one

Kyoto Protocol
The desire to evoke a change is a powerful one. As a child, I remember staying up
late at night burdened by problems of hunger and poverty. I myself was extremely
privileged and could not have been further away from these disasters. When I was
younger, my mind took a simplistic approach to everything. I felt like if there were
problems, a simple solution was easily in sight. I figured that with the correct action,
anything could be saved. I found it difficult to grasp problems that arose as a result of
people causing them. I was fortunate to experience a worthwhile education and was
taught by a passionate teacher who felt it was her duty to inform her students about
current global issues. I was changed by that class and have been extremely interested in
global warming and the cost of the environmental destruction that accompany it, ever
since. Environmental change is something that affects everyone on earth, whether they
are aware of the issue or not. I have come to realize that for a significant global change to
occur, multiple nations of the world must come together.
The net changes in greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removals by sinks
resulting from direct human-induced land-use change and forestry activities,
limited to afforestation, reforestation and deforestation since 1990, measured as
verifiable changes in carbon stocks in each commitment period, shall be used to
meet the commitments under this Article of each Party included in Annex I. The
greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removals by sinks associated with those
activities shall be reported in a transparent and verifiable manner and reviewed in
accordance with Articles 7 and 8.
Issac Newton’s first law of motion explains that, “every object in a state of
uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied
to it.” Newton was a brilliant scientist, and I don’t want to undermine the importance of
physics, but if Newton could have just changed that law to reflect the nature of people,
the issue of global warming might have been handled a couple hundred years ago.
Although, then, finding a paper topic would have been even more difficult, so I guess I
should be thankful of Newton’s scientific, not emotional, prowess. I feel that the
greenhouse gas emissions affect our modern day world like Newton’s laws of motion
govern the scientific one. Greenhouse gas emissions are interconnected to most, if not all,
of the environmental problems plaguing the earth. Harmful gas emissions and poor air
quality are connected to issues of climate change, renewable energy, deforestation and
water quality. We will continue to advance in technology and therefore emit harmful
pollutants unless we find another way. The Kyoto Protocol is the external force applied to
this situation. The Kyoto Protocol was created and implemented to stop the global
community from continuing to release harmful greenhouse gasses into the environment.
The Parties included in Annex I shall strive to implement policies and measures
under this Article in such a way as to minimize adverse effects, including the
adverse effects of climate change, effects on international trade, and social,
environmental and economic impacts on other Parties, especially developing
country Parties and in particular those identified in Article 4, paragraphs 8 and 9,
of the Convention, taking into account Article 3 of the Convention. The Conference
of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol may take further
action, as appropriate, to promote the implementation of the provisions of this
paragraph. Each Party included in Annex I shall, by 2005, have made
demonstrable progress in achieving its commitments under this Protocol.
The Kyoto Protocol is a treaty that emphasized reducing greenhouse gases that
cause climate change. The Protocol was created by the third Conference of the Parties
(COP-3) to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change in Kyoto, Japan during December of 1997. The treaty focuses on industrialized
countries reductions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, HFCs
and PFCs by 5.2% below their 1990 emissions over the four year period from 2008-2012.
As of today, 174 countries have ratified and signed the protocol. Industrial countries that
emit the most greenhouse gasses are the United States, China and India (UNFCC). The
United States contributes 24% of the world’s carbon emissions. Perhaps the Bush
administration doesn’t feel that emitting almost a quarter of the world’s carbon emissions
is an issue of utmost concern. The United States has not yet ratified the Kyoto Protocol
(CBC News). It is extremely difficult to invoke a global change when a key greenhouse
gas emitter, doesn’t participate. I don’t know if you’ve ever played duck, duck, goose,
but if a quarter of the circle is missing, the game doesn’t really work.
Maybe George Bush hasn’t experienced the fun of a duck, duck, goose filled
childhood. He spent his boyhood days in Texas, which statistically produces the most
carbon dioxide emissions out of all of the states. I guess Bush just wants his hometown
and his home nation to lead by example. Texas emits more greenhouse gasses annually
than the entire country of France.
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According to Camilla Shreiner,
who works with the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research Oslo,
“burning coal, oil and gas adds more carbon to the cycle (carbon cycle rotation). This
creates a surplus of CO2 that remains in the atmosphere for a long time” (Shreiner). It is
clear that our actions have consequences, and that burning these fossil fuels produces
elevated levels of carbon dioxide that lingers in the air. Shreiner goes on to add, “the
biggest emitters of greenhouse gases are rich, industrialized countries like the EU
(European Union) and the United States. The per capita emissions in a rich country are
several times greater than those in a poor country” (Shreiner). It is important that all of
the leading industrialized countries are involved with the Kyoto Protocol, because these
are the nations that have the biggest opportunity to have a positive change.
“For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
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Issac Newton’s third law of motion further emphasizes the interconnectedness all things
have to one another. The emissions we emit have an impact on air quality and climate
change. Climate change and temperatures rising affect glacial melting which can then in
turn raise sea levels, encourage hurricanes and flooding. The lifestyle humans have
grown accustomed to is damaging the world and creating all of the harmful CO2
emissions. We emit CO2 “through the consumption of fossil fuels such as coal, oil,
gasoline and natural gas” (Greenpeace International). Deforestation also emits harmful
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CO2.
Deforestation contributes to
poor air quality. The elimination of forests is a problematic endeavor (BBC News). Dick
Bryant, with the World Resources Institute, commented that, “forest trees are important
in counteracting climate change. They store vast amounts of carbon, which, if you clear
them, burn them and degrade them, then go into the atmosphere and contribute to global
warming.”
The Kyoto Protocol’s significance and importance is based on its strict guidelines
and strong rules that force countries to implement changes. There is such a danger of
more harmful emissions over time as population and industry grows, the future looks
grim if we continue on this path of action. If countries don’t cut back on the harmful
emissions and ensure more eco-friendly energy uses, the results will be devastating.
According to Viktor Danilov-Danilyan, a
member of the Russian Academy of
Sciences and director of the water
problems institute, “the concentration of
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greenhouse gases in the air is about 370
ppm (carbon dioxide in parts per
million). By 2012 this figure is expected to grow by 18 ppm if Kyoto measures are not
carried out, or by 16-17 ppm if they are.” The small changes, if implemented, over time
will produce a considerable change in air quality and climate change. Industrial presence
is inevitable, but the impact on the climate and air quality can be much improved.
Remembering Newton’s Laws, one can see the changes other countries have
made as a result of the Kyoto Protocol. They have been required to change their state of
motion. Their actions have a strong impact, even if it is a small change on a global scale.
Reducing greenhouse gasses and opting for more eco-friendly fuel sources alone will
help many other issues because they are so closely intertwined. In the past, Indonesia has
participated in a great destruction of forests. However, now, in an effort to help the global
community and to prepare for an upcoming global climate change conference, they have
embarked on the mission of planting 79 million trees throughout the country (Anderson).
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16686552 (click listen now)
Indonesia is setting an example for the rest of the world to follow. I imagine other
countries will follow suit in time. Creating a change is only possible if you try to create
that change.
Maybe my childhood fantasies weren’t so naïve. It seems that sometimes, those
things that have the greatest impact are simple, easy decisions. Indonesia decided to plant
some trees. They went about this on a much grander scale to improve the air quality and
to do something dramatic and interesting enough that everyone else would find out about
it.
Harmful greenhouse gas emissions are impacting the environment in many
ways. Landslides are becoming more and more common as the temperature
continues to rise. Extreme weather catastrophes like hurricanes and floods also
compliment the rise in temperature. Scientists believe that melting glaciers and
and
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Observation
Research
Center (EORC)
hasthis
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footage from space highlighting
the melting ice caps in the Artic and observed, “the concentration of sea ice has
decreased continuously over the last several years” (japan website).
http://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/en/imgdata/topics/2005/tp050811.html The simulator
on the EORC website demonstrates the melting ice and the predicted outcome if
temperatures continues to rise. The impact of melting ice is a great one. Sea levels can
rise and flooding could become problematic in the future. David Adam writes, “the loss
of glaciers in South America and Asia will threaten the water supplies of people within a
few decades” (Adam). The loss of clean water that people depend on is a problem that
we, as a global community, need to avoid.
Research on, and promotion, development and increased use of, new and
renewable forms of energy, of carbon dioxide sequestration technologies
and of advanced and innovative environmentally sound technologies
Before we can take action as a global community, we need to educate ourselves
about the problems and issues regarding greenhouse gas emissions. The more information
we can gather, the more likely a viable solution will be found. Al Gore is well known for
bringing the issues at hand to the general public in a clear and simple way through his
documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.” Al Gore addressed the public in this film with,
"my fellow Americans, people all over the world, we need to solve the climate crisis. It's
not a political issue; it's a moral issue. We have everything we need to get started, with
the possible exception of the will to act. That's a renewable resource. Let's renew it” (An
Inconvenient Truth). I remember watching his film in that life-changing history class
during high school.
Al Gore’s film was powerful because it combined dramatic visual images with
statistics and Gore explained everything in between. I remember watching the film and
watching the mudslides occur. The earth seemed to be heaving, turning itself inside out as
it churned the hundreds of people in its path.
http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/sgw_feature.asp?id=11
This trailer gives a small sample of the material included in “An Inconvenient
Truth.” Al Gore talks about scientific research and proof regarding current global
warming issues. He puts a dramatic take and emphasizes the importance of taking action.
Gore is encouraging throughout the movie. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his strong
devotion to the global warming cause. This movie alone has had the impact to educate
and inform millions of people. “An Inconvenient Truth,” has won academy awards, and
countless awards for best documentary at film festivals across the country. Viewers were
able to see what is currently happening around the world as a result of climate change and
greenhouse gas emissions.
If there is going to be a change in greenhouse gas emissions, my generation is
most likely to create that change. We have witnessed the evolution of green living and
hybrid car explosions. 10 years after the Kyoto Protocol, I feel that many more people are
aware that action needs to take place. The evolution of biodiesel, a low emission fuel
made from vegetable oil, and hybrid cars are the first of advances in technology that will
allow fewer emissions and a cleaner way of life for the world at large.
I have learned that every action has a reaction. Whether that reaction is equal and
opposite or far-reaching and tightly connected, the fact remains the same. The issue of
climate change and the release of greenhouse gasses have forced the world and all of it’s
people to take action.
A circle is not a complete ring if people are missing. There can be a strong
support, a strong foundation for change by coming together and embracing one another’s
knowledge like the Kyoto Protocol outlines. Honestly, who doesn’t want a chance to play
duck, duck, goose with a circle that links everyone together?