Andrew Simms, Policy Director, New Economics Foundation warned (the Guardian, 15th October, 2003) of the danger to global stabiliy that is imminent. He wrote “According to one study, at least five small island states are at risk of ceasing to exist (Due to global warming) ….Sea level rise in the range expected by the intergovernmental panel on climate change would devastate the Maldives………. Up to 10 million could be displaced in the Philippines, millions more in Cambodia, Thailand, Egypt, China, across Latin America - the list goes on…… The effects of these population movements are likely to be highly destabilizing globally unless they are carefully managed…...”
The enormity of the devastation and the consequent problems that could be caused around the world by the global warming require a solution that has to be evolved on the global plane. Inter-governmental action plans and serious commitment to such action plans is essential. A decade ago the first major step in the direction of an Inter-governmental action plan was taken. An international treaty aimed at controlling global warming linked to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases was negotiated at Kyoto, Japan in 1997; and in 2005, after eight years of hectic discussions and wranglings, the treaty was ratified by 141 nations, with 35 industrialized countries voluntarily committing to limit emissions. Under the treaty, the European Union will limit emissions to 8 % below 1990 levels; Japan and Canada to a 6 % cut; and Russia committed
to limit emissions at 1990 levels. Developing countries like India, China, etc. were exempted to give them time to catch up on development.
The enormity of the devastation and the consequent problems that could be caused around the world by the global warming require a solution that has to be evolved on the global plane. Inter-governmental action plans and serious commitment to such action plans is essential. A decade ago the first major step in the direction of an Inter-governmental action plan was taken. An international treaty aimed at controlling global warming linked to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases was negotiated at Kyoto, Japan in 1997; and in 2005, after eight years of hectic discussions and wranglings, the treaty was ratified by 141 nations, with 35 industrialized countries voluntarily committing to limit emissions. Under the treaty, the European Union will limit emissions to 8 % below 1990 levels; Japan and Canada to a 6 % cut; and Russia committed
to limit emissions at 1990 levels. Developing countries like India, China, etc. were exempted to give them time to catch up on development. The map (alongside) shows the levels of carbon emission (Carbon Dioxide Emission) per capita around the globe in 1999. It will be noticed that USA and Australia contribute the highest Carbon Emission. It is ironical that the USA which actively helped forging the Kyoto Treaty was taken out of the treaty the moment Bush became the President of. USA. Both USA and Australia have refused to join the treaty. So the largest polluters of atmosphere are not prepared to accept any limitation on their right to pollute.
US authorities argue that the Treaty is discriminatory as it does not bind fast developing countries like India and China to limits and a 7% cut on the 1990 level would cost USA 5 million jobs & $400 billion annually. Not only is the stance taken by the USA against the norms of responsible international behavior but with utter disregard of the consequence of its action, it’s current energy plans will increase it’s carbon emissions by 25% by the year 2010.
Kyoto protagonists believe that before asking developing countries to make cuts the developed, wealthy countries must show their commitment to cutting emission levels in the first phase of the treaty, from 2008 to 2012. Donkers of the EU delegation said "You can't expect developing countries to waive their right to grow because the industrialized countries for the last 100 years have eaten all the cake,"
Irrespective of the actual limits achieved by 2012, Kyoto Treaty could well be the harbinger of uniting the vast majority of the world's nations for a common good. Kyoto could equally be the forerunner of an international model that rewards innovation and pursues cleaner forms of growth by a voluntary joint action plan..
Kyoto protagonists believe that before asking developing countries to make cuts the developed, wealthy countries must show their commitment to cutting emission levels in the first phase of the treaty, from 2008 to 2012. Donkers of the EU delegation said "You can't expect developing countries to waive their right to grow because the industrialized countries for the last 100 years have eaten all the cake,"
Irrespective of the actual limits achieved by 2012, Kyoto Treaty could well be the harbinger of uniting the vast majority of the world's nations for a common good. Kyoto could equally be the forerunner of an international model that rewards innovation and pursues cleaner forms of growth by a voluntary joint action plan..
