Global warming is something that is sure to affect everyone. The world is warming faster now than anytime in the past 10,000 years. Most of this warming is due to activities by humans such as burning different resources for energy. But, what can be done stop it? Many hope the answer will be found in Johannesburg this year.
The Kyoto climate treaty is now one step closer to being ratified with Russia signing on as the latest backer. The treaty will be the first international law of this kind and requires countries to cut global warming gasses to 5 percent below their 1990 levels. The treaty must have the countries responsible for 55% of the pollution to sign on in order to go into effect. Kyoto suffered a major setback when the U.S., responsible for 36% of carbon emissions, decided to pull out. Bush citing that U.S. business interests would suffer. The key players here are the U.S., Russia and China (the top three producers of carbon emissions around the world.) The treaty will now be put into effect with Russia and China signing on, giving the treaty the necessary 55%.
I am a big supporter of this treaty. I just think it is sad to see that the U.S cannot attempt to do their share in helping to lower the amount of dangerous chemicals being spread throughout the world. I would have hoped that the environment could be seen as something more important than a few big businesses. But at the same time it is at least reassuring to see that other countries around the world are trying to do something. The Kyoto climate treaty is a major step in the right direction.