The Kyoto Protocol

With the threat of global warming looming from above, different nations around the world (headed by the United Nations) have come up with an agreement on climate change that could be considered the first major step in fighting this environmental crisis. The Kyoto Protocol, also known as Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is that treaty.

Negotiated in December 1997 in Japan (city of Kyoto), the Kyoto Protocol is an agreement wherein "industrialized countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to the year 1990". Using the 2010 figure for greenhouse gas emissions, the treaty is aiming for a 29% decrease, a truly challenging yet doable responsibility for all the parties involved.

Among the specified greenhouse gases in this treaty are Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Sulfur Hexafluoride, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). However, the main target of the Kyoto Protocol is the reduction of Carbon Dioxide emissions, since it has been the main thorn on the environment's side.

Based on the treaty, different countries have different percentages in which they need to reduce their non-environmental-friendly gas emissions. Certain nations like the US, Iceland, and Australia (to name a few) have to shoulder a bigger percentage because of the large volume emissions that they normally produce and have previously produced.

To serve as an alternative for nations that will not be able to fulfill their duties pertaining to the Kyoto Protocol, Emissions Trading is currently being employed. In that setup, countries can purchase "emission credits" from countries, which are easily able to meet their targets, whether it is through programs for the environment or just because of a naturally low emission capacity. More often than not, Emissions Trading is encouraged to be a last-resort option since nations should commit to their fair share of emission reduction as much as possible. Obviously, there are a lot of ways in which the involved nations can fulfill their obligations.

"Greening" the environment can involve high-cost programs, but here lies the best results. Replanting trees and reforming forests is a good one-two punch against global warming mainly because of the Carbon Dioxide demand of plants, which can remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Conservation is another viable option, especially on gas and fuel usage. Since a certain amount of Carbon Dioxide is produce for every gallon of fuel used up, the need for fuel efficient vehicles is imminent.