Kyoto Protocol

The Facts: The Kyoto Protocol is an international environmental treaty aimed at stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions, and prevent dangerous interference with the climate system. The Protocol was initially adopted on 11 December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, and entered into force on 16 February 2005. As of September 2011, 191 states have signed and ratified the protocol. The only remaining signatory not to have ratified the protocol is the United States. Other states yet to ratify Kyoto include Afghanistan, Andorra and South Sudan, after Somalia ratified the protocol on 26 July 2010. In 2011, Canada declared its intention to withdraw from the Kyoto treaty.
Under the protocol the countries who agree, commit themselves to reduce four greenhouse gases by 5.2% on average for the period 2008-2012. Canada was committed to cutting its greenhouse emissions to 6% below 1990 levels by 2012, but in 2009 emissions were 17% higher than in 1990. Environment minister Peter Kent cited Canada's liability to "enormous financial penalties"($14 billion) under the treaty unless it withdrew.
The Right Wing View: Although no one individual can speak for an entire political spectrum, a majority of conservatives feel that the Kyoto Protocol is too much of a risk to the economy. Why? The financial penalties that are given to countries that do not comply with the protocol are quite hefty. Because Canada's geography, with its vast distances between many communities combined with the length and coldness of Canadian winters, contributes to Canada's high hydrocarbon consumption. As temperatures drop, fuel consumption rises and fuel efficiency drops. Thus, some may say that for Canada, it is close to impossible to agree to such a strict agreement without throwing the Canadian economy and way of life out of whack.
The Left Wing View: Many left-wingers feel that the future of our environment is too important to put on hold. Many liberals believe that the Kyoto Accord may be a burden on the economy but if the Kyoto Protocol doesn't than climate change defiantly will. But many other liberals believe that the Kyoto Protocol isn't even that much of a commitment.
Taylor's Take: As a young Canadian, I feel the future of our environment is obviously important, no not important but VITAL. Somebody would be a fool to deny that the world (which includes Canada) is in an exuberant amount of trouble in regards to climate change, and unless something is done, it's only going to get worse. But my big question is, "Is the Kyoto Protocol the answer to climate change?" It's a very open ended question, but it's also very important. All in all, I feel that the Kyoto Protocol is NOT the answer to climate change. When environment minister Peter Kent announced that Canada would not agree to the Kyoto Protocol, he said something that made sense (for once) which is "The Kyoto protocol does not cover the world's largest two emitters, the United States and China, and therefore cannot work". Mr.Kent hit it right on the head! If the United States and China continues to pollute liberally, than Canada, and other nations who only emit fraction sized emissions are participating in the Kyoto Protocol in vain. When Canada first made the announcement about not partaking in the Kyoto Protocol, China's foreign minister Liu Weimin said that "Canada's move goes against the efforts of the international community and is regrettable". He says "Beijing hopes Canada will face up to its obligations, honor its commitments and actively participate in international efforts to fight climate change". (Nicely said Mr. Liu ,I'm happy that China is doing things in an effort to help the international community, but it's too bad that China isn't taking part in the international community for human rights). So all in all, if the U.S and China takes the bull by the horns and makes some drastic changes and actually begin to cut down on their emissions, than the Kyoto Protocol would be perfect, but until then, it's a money sucker. What's your opinion?