China Urges US to sign the Kyoto Treaty

In summary: Seems like a red flag.I wonder how much natural fires contribute to the GHG composition of the atmosphere.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051201/ap_on_re_ca/canada_climate_change
China's Sun Guoshunis said his country was already cutting the polluting emmisions, adding it was unfair to expect China and India — with the world's largest populations — to ask their impoverished people to cut back on energy consumption.
"We really feel pity that the U.S. has not yet, and is not going to join the Kyoto Protocol, not only because of the size of its total emissions, but also because of its higher per capita emissions," Sun, director of the Department of Treaty and Law at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview with The Associated Press.
He spoke during the first meeting of the 140 countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol since it was signed in 1997 and went into effect in February.
More than 8,000 environmentalists, scientists and government officials were attending the 10-day conference in Montreal. Some 120 environment ministers and other government leaders were expected to arrive next week for the final negotiations.
Those countries are missing out on the moolah. :smile:
 
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Why wouldn't China urge the U.S. to adopt the protocols which essentially exempt China while placing severe restrictions on the U.S.? It's a crafty way to keep your labor costs low in a competitive world economy while placing your competitors at a decided disadvantage.
 
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Are all these environmentalists just oblivious to the insanely obvious implications when it comes to China's role in the treaty?
 
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Aren't the burning coal layers in China the biggest source of Co2 in the world?
But then again, you really can't do much about that.
But true, The US could cut down a bit on fuel consumption.
 
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I'm pretty sure the US is #1 in CO2 emissions. This isn't about the US cutting emissions, this is about giving China a free pass to pollute at will. We already cut regulations based on our own legislation
 
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I wonder how much natural fires contribute to the GHG composition of the atmosphere.
 
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Pengwuino said:
I'm pretty sure the US is #1 in CO2 emissions. This isn't about the US cutting emissions, this is about giving China a free pass to pollute at will. We already cut regulations based on our own legislation
Legislation allows you to cut regulations? What's that supposed to mean?
 
  • #10
That looks like a typo - I'm sure he meant to say legislation is causing cuts in emissions.
 
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Does anyone know how many of the Kyoto signatories aren't actively developing nuclear power?
 

1. What is the Kyoto Treaty?

The Kyoto Treaty, also known as the Kyoto Protocol, is an international agreement that was adopted in 1997 by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It sets binding targets for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to combat climate change.

2. Why is China urging the US to sign the Kyoto Treaty?

China, along with many other countries, believes that the US is a key player in global emissions and should take responsibility for reducing its impact on the environment. By signing the Kyoto Treaty, the US would join other developed countries in committing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.

3. Has the US signed the Kyoto Treaty?

No, the US has not signed the Kyoto Treaty. In 2001, the US government decided not to ratify the treaty, citing concerns about its potential impact on the US economy and the lack of participation from developing countries such as China and India.

4. How does China's stance on the Kyoto Treaty affect global efforts to combat climate change?

China is currently the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, so its participation in the Kyoto Treaty is crucial for its success. By urging the US to sign the treaty, China is demonstrating its commitment to reducing emissions and encouraging other countries to do the same. However, without the participation of the US, the effectiveness of the treaty may be limited.

5. What are some potential consequences if the US continues to refuse to sign the Kyoto Treaty?

If the US continues to refuse to sign the Kyoto Treaty, it may face criticism from other countries and international organizations for not taking adequate action to combat climate change. Additionally, the US may miss out on potential economic benefits and opportunities associated with transitioning to a more environmentally-friendly economy. On a larger scale, the continued refusal of the US to participate in global efforts to combat climate change may hinder progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.

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