Kyoto Protocol
What is it?
- It was a legally binding treaty formed in 1997 under the United Nations in a concerted effort from many industrialized countries (including those in the European Union, Japan, Australia, and the United States) to try to reduce emissions. The goal is to lower overall emissions from six greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexa-fluoride, HFCs, and PFCs. (UNFCC, n.d.)
- There is greater responsibility on developed nations and less stringent policies for developing nations
- Goals:
- The first commitment opportunity included 37 countries and the E.U in a joint effort to reduce global greenhouse gases an average of 5% compared to 1990 levels. (UNFCC, n.d.)
- The second commitment period focused on the goals of reducing emissions by 18% from 1990 levels, in an eight year period from 2013-2020. (UNFCC, n.d.)
Debate
There are several aspects of the entire program that make it not as adaptable to all countries. Therefore, listed below are some points that detract from the merits of the protocol:
Points of controversy and shortcomings: (Bond, 2003)
There are several aspects of the entire program that make it not as adaptable to all countries. Therefore, listed below are some points that detract from the merits of the protocol:
Points of controversy and shortcomings: (Bond, 2003)
- No penalty for noncompliance/withdrawl
- The program economically favors developed countries with small area, yet densely populated regions like the E.U and Japan, and disfavors large developed nations like Australia, United States, and Russia.
- The protocol is not clear as to what is a "reduction".
- For example, Canada and Russia, with large tracts of forests, believe that their carbon sinks should receive credit.
Carbon Offsets
- A carbon offset is a reduction in greenhouse gases (1 ton) to make up for the excess production in some other area.
- Companies can implement this by putting a financial spin on it: carbon credits. This way, less able companies will still be able to pollute what they have to, but at a price, because the cleaner companies have sold them credits. (Terrapass, 2011)
- This method ensures a general decrease in carbon dioxide emissions.
- Some ways to reduce CO2 emissions for companies is to replace old machinery that is powered inefficiently, to use florescent lights, and to have hybrid cars for employees.
- The link below gives more comprehensive information.
Controlling Pollution
Ways to control pollution from automobiles:
- Using zero-emission vehicles like battery powered or hybrid cars can control vehicle exhaust which is a main mobile source of pollution. (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, n.d.)
- Improving gasoline quality and fuel burning mechanisms would help the gasoline that is burned to burn more cleanly and with less emissions.
- Inspection of emission control systems and upgrades on those in the car should be mandatory to ensure that the exhast that comes out is regulated. (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, n.d.)
Ways to control pollution from industry/electrical generation:
- Factories can begin by not using coal as fuel; coal is one of the dirtiest sources of fuel and release SO2, CO2, and NO2. By switching to natural gas, emissions can burn more cleanly.
- Factories can also implement scrubbing in smokestacks. This will remove many pollutants such as sulphur dioxide.
- For industries, implementing carbon credit trading and other pollution credit trading, general emissions can be reduced and controlled with these regulations.
Case Study
Boral Roofing, a company based in Los Angeles is making roof tiles that can neutralize air pollutants. Normal clay tiles are covered in titanium oxide which can turn NO2 into harmless calcium nitrate, under the sun. The calcium nitrate then serves to fertilize the lawn during normal precipitation. The tiles on a 2,00 sq/ft house can oxidize approximately NO2 equivalent to driving 10,000 miles in a car. But despite this reactionary invention that is quite ingenious, scientists still need to find ways to stop the problems of air pollution at the source; if the pollutants never make it out of the smokestack, there is no need to find ways to clean it out of the air later. (Kermeliotis, 2012)
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/04/tech/smog-eating-tiles-california/
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/04/tech/smog-eating-tiles-california/