Way back in 1997, the United Nations adopted the Kyoto Protocol to help set specific targets for several countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol was not entered into force until 2005 and since then, 187 countries have entered into the agreement to help curb climate change.
However, it's obvious that things haven't gone so hot...or perhaps we should say things have actually gotten hotter? Many questions have been raised as to the protocol's effectiveness in doing enough to stop global warming - enter the Copenhagen Summit. Its goals?
- to expand, refine, or possibly replace the Kyoto Protocol
- regulate specific countries with exact figures
- verify through independent monitoring whether or not emissions cuts were being adhered to
- assist poorer countries to help them deal with effects of climate change
Critics of the conference felt that none of the goals were really reached, leading to much frustration and no binding agreements. However, some countries have definitely set out some big goals for themselves. China has pledged the largest carbon emissions cut - 40-45% by 2020. Japan and Russia have pledged to cut 25%, Europe's pledge is 20%, and the US has pledged to cut 17%.
About the coolest thing to come out of the Climate Conference was an interactive map by the AP Climate Pool that shows worldwide carbon emissions data collected from 1990 - 2007 (click on map to launch site, then click on Emission Trends)
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