Prospects for a Global Post-Kyoto Treaty

This exercise demonstrated that while climate change is a global concern, each country will experience unique challenges. In addition, it seems that the initial Kyoto treaty did not take into account the impact of developing countries’ emissions on our global climate. Furthermore, this exercise revealed that the largest countries, who most consider to be our world’s leaders, did not consider our environment to be a global priority. While developing countries have proposed ways to curb their own emissions, it seems noteworthy that they were not considered in the Kyoto treaty. 

For instance, the former treaty did not consider developing countries as a severe threat to global warming; however, countries such as Brazil and China provide evidence that the revised treaty should take into regard individual countries’ climates. Based on the amount of recent weather-related disasters, it seems that the Kyoto treaty was unsuccessful. However, with developing and developed countries taking part in the new environmental policy, it is possible we can curb global emissions. In fact, it seems that most countries are willing to contribute as long as it does not pose a threat to their economic well-being. Ultimately, it depends on our world’s leaders to balance their countries’ needs with environmental needs. 

Political intervention is necessary but industrialized and developing countries have to reach a consensus on specific measures that each country can take to reduce the negative impacts of rising temperatures. John Vidal, author of “Large Rise in CO2 Emissions Sounds Climate Change Alarm,” reveals “The chances of the world holding temperatures rises to 2C—the level of global warming considered ‘safe’ by scientists—appear to be fading fast with the US scientists reporting the second-greatest annual rise in CO2 emissions in 2012.” This speculation leads many to believe that it may be too late to stabilize emissions. Had the Kyoto treaty included developing countries, it is likely that the threat of runway greenhouse gases would not be as significant.

For example, political leaders considered China to be a developing country, yet they ranked as “the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases” (Brief Overview of the Countries). On the other hand, China has proposed to reduce their emissions and shift to cleaner fuels. Therefore, the prospects are good for the post-Kyoto treaty, but in order to be successful industrialized countries will have to assure developing countries that the new treaty will improve health around the world and in turn, perhaps, it will stabilize their economies and reduce poverty. 

The largest failure of the Kyoto treaty was to not include developing countries, so the post treaty will have a positive impact; however, large industrialized countries such as the United States and Canada will have to commit to it. The Obama Administration has committed to pursuing a climate change policy that exists within the executive branch, but his successors will have to commit to the same as well. For instance, in order for the post treaty to be successful, each country will have to consider that any increase in our global temperature will reduce crops and in turn decrease that countries’ revenue. In addition, while the amended treaty may have positive impacts on our environment, it is not projected to take effect until 2020. Until then, each country will have to take individualized approaches to their emissions and operate on more of a promise than an obligation. This project revealed a sobering investigation into our Earth’s future. Hopefully, our new measures and the revised amendment will not be too late. 

While climate change is an international concern, each country will experience unique challenges. Therefore, as part of our group project, my role was to determine if a new policy would be consistent with Russia’s interests. Specifically, it was important to research Russia’s current climate and their contribution to global warming. As part of my research, I assessed Russia’s environmental changes, and I sought evidence of potential dangers and appropriate responses. I found that Russia was vulnerable to climate change because of their location. In order to determine Russia’s ecosystem, I turned to Bertzky et al.’s “The Natural Fix? The Role of Ecosystems in Climate Mitigation” and noted that Russia’s cold climate contributed to a high amount of permafrost. Essentially, Russia’s tundra ecosystem is not likely to gain more carbon, but as the permafrost melts, it releases significant methane into the air. Therefore, my initial research found that Russia would benefit from environmental policy changes. 

Next, I evaluated Russia’s ranking within our global statistics regarding greenhouse gas emissions. Duncan Clark’s article “Which Nations are Most Responsible for Climate Change?” reveals Russia is responsible for approximately eight percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Because Russia ranks third behind the United States and China, I found that it would be in this country’s best interests to embrace future policy changes regarding our global climate. 

Finally, I researched Russia’s former role in the Kyoto Treaty. I found that while Russia recognized that global warming played an important role in the future of the Earth’s atmosphere, Olga Dobrovidova explains that reducing factors that contribute to climate changes is not one of their priorities. In sum, after my research, I recommended to the group that Russia’s role in the future of climate changes is significant, but because of their progress thus far, it seems that they are already implementing strategies to reduce their contribution to global warming. 

Works Cited

Bertzky, Monika and Barney Dickson, Geertje van der Heijden, Martin Jenkins, Pete Manning, Kate Trumper. “The Natural Fix? The Role of Ecosystems in Climate Mitigation.” United Nations Environmental Programme, 2009, p. 20, 55.  Web. 28 July 2013

Clark, Duncan. “Which nations are most responsible for climate change?” Guardian, 21 April 2011. Web. 28 July 2013.

Dobrovidova, Olga. “Climate change fails to make Russia’s top 50 development priorities.” Responding to Climate Change. June 6, 2013. Web. 28 July 2013.

Vidal, John. "Large Rise in CO2 Emissions Sounds Climate Change Alarm." The Guardian. N.p., 8 Mar. 2013. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.