Kyoto treaty takes effect
US refusal to sign evokes strong protest

The Kyoto treaty on global warming signed by 141 nations, restricting emission of greenhouse gases, came into force on Feb.16. The biggest polluter in the world, the United States, and Australia have refused to sign this treaty evoking strong protests from greens and other environmental groups. The environmentalist movements have been warning for a long time that global warming could lead to droughts and the extinction of some species. Even in the context of the recent Tsunami, many scientists have opined that the rise in global temperature would lead to more earthquakes and the danger of more tidal waves.

The 34 industrialised countries which have ratified the treaty are legally bound to slash the output of greenhouse gases by 5.2 per cent before 2012, with targets set for each nation based on their 1990 levels. The United States pulled out of Kyoto Protocol (adopted in 1997) in 2001 in one of President George W. Bush's first acts in office, saying it would hurt the US economy. Recently, as the treaty entered into force, George Bush tried to blunt the growing opposition in the US by saying that the treaty would take away US jobs. But this argument did not cut much ice with the American people. Thousands of youth demonstrated all over the US against the arrogant stance of the Bush administration.

Some critics, mostly in the West, have pointed out that China and India have no obligations under the Kyoto for restricting greenhouse greenhouse gas emission. But the developing countries account for a minor share of these emissions. The United States and Australia, the only other major industrial country to reject the treaty, account together for 30 per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Anyway, developing countries have agreed to make commitments in the next phase of Kyoto negotiations to begin later this year.

The UN has forecast an overall rise of 1.4-5.8 degrees Celsius by 2100 and the Kyoto pact would cut a projected rise in temperatures by just 0.1 degrees. In this Kyoto has only a minor effect. But as the first treaty to address this important global problem this is a good beginning. But, without the US agreeing, the pact would hardly make a dent in the perceived problem of global warming. Global pressure should mount on the US and Australia to sign the treaty. The US administration is listening to their big businesses rather than scientists and environmentalists. Some groups have called for boycott of goods made in the US as a protest.

-- BS