Free Essay On The Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement among several countries, particularly those involved in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Kyoto Protocol is an extension of the said framework binding all nations involved in the initiative to reduction of carbon emissions based on an agreed upon diminution. The key elements of the Kyoto Protocol is the control of the emission of specific gases (carbon dioxide, hydrofluorocarbons, methane, nitrous oxide, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride), reaching the numerical target of reduced emissions, trading emissions among 35 countries, joint implementation of the initiative, and the development of projects in developing countries aimed towards the objective of the Kyoto Protocol, which is to reduce emissions and reach a target of diminution in the process.
Although the Kyoto Protocol was aimed towards environmental sustainability through the reduction of carbon emissions, the United States initially withdrew from its involvement in the initiative along with other countries such as Canada. Former US President Bush rejected the US’ involvement in the Protocol because it conflicts with the US government’s other initiatives and interests. The main reason why US withdrew from the Protocol is that the massive reduction of emissions would worsen the energy crisis the country is experiencing during those years and that it would hurt the country’s economy. With reduced carbon emissions, the reduction would limit operations in businesses. Consequently, this would lead to massive cuts in consumption as well as operations, and ultimately, limitations in employment. Furthermore, limited operations in businesses and companies would also hurt the US economy. US could have agreed to the Protocol had the country gained other sources of energy such as natural gas. Nonetheless, during that time, the country was unable to tap into natural sources and comply with the mandates of the Kyoto Protocol.

Works Cited

Kauffman, Chad M. Climate Studies: Introduction to Climate Science. AMS Bookstore, 2014.