Kyoto Global Warming Pact Takes Effect

[papau]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Kyoto-Protocol.html

Kyoto Global Warming Pact Takes Effect
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: February 16, 2005


Filed at 7:15 a.m. ET

KYOTO, Japan (AP) -- The Kyoto global warming pact went into force Wednesday, seven years after it was negotiated, imposing limits on emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases scientists blame for rising world temperatures, melting glaciers and rising oceans.

The landmark agreement, negotiated in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto in 1997 and ratified by 140 nations, targets carbon dioxide and five other gases that can trap heat in the atmosphere, and are believed to be behind rising global temperatures that many scientists say are disrupting weather patterns.

The United States, the world's largest emitter of such gases, has refused to ratify the agreement, saying it would harm the economy and is flawed by the lack of restrictions on emissions by emerging economies China and India.

``We have been calling on the United States to join. But the country that is the world's biggest emitter has not joined yet, and that is regrettable,'' Japan's top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda, told reporters<snip>

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/international/international-environment-kyoto.html

Feted and Hated, Kyoto Enters Into Force 5:38 a.m. ET
OSLO (Reuters) - A world plan to fight global warming went into force on Wednesday, feted by its backers as a lifeline for the planet but rejected as an economic straitjacket by the United States, the world's top polluter

[Kolesar]

1. So we are afraid of being disadvantaged wrt China and India

While at the same time our corporate leaders are outsourcing jobs to China and India because those countries have cheaper operating costs due to lax environmental enforcement. The solution is to put import tariffs on countries that pollute the air or water in any form.

Do you think that would sell as a political position?

[papau]

2. I like it!

:-)

[One_Life_To_Give]

3. Will GATT allow it? n/t

[Kolesar]

4. (big story) kick