Kyoto Accord

Imagine waking up to a world that had been severely destroyed by global warming. There wouldn’t be any more snow on Antarctica and our hot springs would be icy cold. Changes like this seem unbelievable but possible when global warming takes its toll. There is a way to stop global warming but many ignorant individuals seem to think that it is based on “flawed ideas” (Houts) and nothing should be done about it. The main destroyer would be George W. Bush who is well aware of this environmental issue but decides to look the other way. As the world’s leading carbon emitter, the United States should take part in the Kyoto Accord to help stop global warming.

The Kyoto Accord is the first international agreement to help stop global warming. It has been signed by 141 nations, which include all the industrial nations omitting the United States and Australia. The Kyoto’s goal is to save the planet from disastrous human caused effects that lead to global warming by getting 38 industrialized countries to reduce their combined annual gas emissions to 5.2 percent by 2012. Global warming is a hazard to the world because it is a scientific fact that our climate is getting warmer. It is caused by greenhouse gases which are mostly made up by dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

The process that is leading the world to get warmer is that greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere causing it to heat like a greenhouse. (White) This is a world wide danger because it can result in the melting of glaciers and artic ice sheets which will lead to the rising sea levels to inundate coastal areas. (White) Many different areas can expect major flooding if nothing is done to stop global warming such as London, New York, Shanghai, and Bombay. Global warming is also behind the changing of weather patterns that increase the risks of droughts, hurricanes and above all health problems. Many people believe if something isn’t done the effects of the climate change will be felt most in the developing world.

The United States benefits by taking the responsibility to take part in the Kyoto Accord in order to help the environment stabilize, by cutting emissions of gases linked to global warming. It would keep the climate under control and keep people from fearing the worst. One of the main reasons many are in favor for the signing of the Kyoto is so that they won’t have to live in fear of something happing at a blink of an eye. People want to be able to maintain global warming at an arms length and not have to deal with it because they don’t want to be in danger. People tend to fear change and that’s what global warming is. It is change in something that was already done a certain way.

As one of the main polluters the United States should take the initiative to make things right by at least trying to take part in the prevention of global warming. “As the world’s largest economy, the US remains the world’s leading carbon emitter, and both the American and European economies are far bigger emitters than either China or India on a per-capita basis.” (Washington) Even though these countries don’t compare to the US they have taken the commitment to stop global warming seriously because it has become a threat to everyone and they want to do something about it. They haven’t let anything stop them from signing such a treaty so why wouldn’t the richest country sign it to take part in such a global act?

If the United States would take part in the Kyoto Accord it would help be one step closer to getting rid of global warming. It would not only be helping the ambience but it would also be helping itself become a stronger nation. “Under the protocol there are national targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the United States originally committed itself to the reduction of 7 percent.” (Kyoto 189) By reducing itself the US would help drastically and not loose that many emissions. The benefit it would get by ratifying the Kyoto Treaty would be that the largest polluter would be part of an international effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Natoli) It would still be able to produce what it needs to keep the economy flowing smoothly, which is what it really wants. By signing the Kyoto the US can also benefit financially because it can sell the carbon it has. “Carbon has a value of about US$ 15 to 25 at current market prices and provides the opportunity for the rural populations to earn income from tree planting projects.” (Kruse)

If the United States signs the Kyoto it would provide it with alternatives ways to cease global warming. “The Kyoto Protocol provides mechanisms that will encourage investments in climate friendly projects, which will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” (Kruse) It will not only make these leading industrial nations cut their emissions just during the period needed to stop global warming but it will also help them prevent future global warming by introducing them to more natural approaching ecological projects. Such as leading forests play a unique role as carbon sinks because they recapture and store carbon dioxide releases into the atmosphere. (Kruse) More of these sorts of natural projects will be introduced as the goal is met.

Even though there are those who believe that the Kyoto should be signed there are also many who think that the United States shouldn’t have to sign the Kyoto Accord because it will not benefit the country. Many people believe that the Kyoto is only a hoax to drain the United States economy, and others believe that global warming all together is only an invention to get the most powerful industrial nations to cut back on emissions.

More than 15,000 scientists protest against the Kyoto Accord saying that global warming is only a myth. They believe that the Kyoto has the facts all wrong since they looked into what the Kyoto tends to be saying is the cause of global warming but it doesn’t seem factional since there is nothing wrong with human use of hydrocarbons or other gases. “Research data on the climate change do not show that human use of hydrocarbons is harmful, to the contrary, there is good evidence that increased atmospheric carbon dioxide is environmentally helpful.” (Houts)

Scientists don’t believe such a treaty is necessary because it will force radical cuts in energy use in the United States. “The proposed limits on the greenhouse gases would harm the environment, hinder the advance of science and technology, and damage the health and welfare of mankind.” (Houts) Scientists don’t believe that it should be ratified because it doesn’t address the correct issues. The Kyoto Accord would damage the

United States progress in science and technology instead of helping out the environment. It won’t benefit today’s society at all.

The United States believes getting involved with the Kyoto Accord would be a foul move since it will hurt the economy drastically because there aren’t enough funds for such a treaty. “Economic concerns have played an important role in the un-ratification of the treaty.” The economy is going through a recession as it is and signing the Kyoto would add on to the tension of the economy. (Natoli) President George W. Bush decided not to sign the treaty because he doesn’t agree on cutting emissions. He doesn’t agree on the Kyoto but he does agree that climate change is a serious issue and we must work together. (Bush) He doesn’t think the United States has enough money to replace fossil fuel use to renewable energy sources or applying technological devices to remove emissions before they are released because it will prove to be quite costly. (Natoli)

It’s unbelievable to think that our leader doesn’t see that the Kyoto Accord is something that is desperately needed to stop global warming. Even though both sides have in-depth evidence, I consider that the United States should sign the Kyoto Accord. The signing of this treaty would help the problem of global warming so generation after generation could enjoy life on Earth. The involvement of the United States would reduce the greenhouse emissions and bring abnormal climate changes to an end. It is definitely time to take control of the environmental issues while they are still underdeveloped, and if Bush keeps making excuses by saying there isn’t enough money to make a move such as this one have him explain how he can spend millions of dollars on foreign countries such as Africa but can’t spend a dime on his own country. Should he be the one to say our planet has a budget and refuse the right for the United States to use the money they have to help the environment.

The United States should sign the Kyoto Accord because as a leading polluter it had the duty to improve the environment and stop global warming to make the world a better place, without the involvement of the United States the agreement will most likely fall apart. It is time that the United States took a stand and did something for the world because they have as much fault as the other countries that the world is going through stages of global warming.