Guinn_ENVM620_M5_GradedAssign
1. Climate change is defined as a broad range of changes that are happening to the planet and include: Rising sea levels, shrinking mountain glaciers, accelerated ice melt at the poles, which is primarily the result of human activity of burning of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide (a heat trapping gas) into the air (Dunbar, n.d.).
The key arguments in support of global climate change include both natural cases and manmade causes. Some of these natural causes include changes in the earth’s orbit and the amount of energy coming from the sun, in addition to oceanic changes and volcanic eruptions (Dunbar, n.d.). These global changes cannot account for the significant temperature changes seen in the …show more content…
The Kyoto Protocol (KP) is an international agreement to reduce the global levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) and resulted from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which commits its parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets (“United Nations Framework,” n.d.).” The Kyoto Protocol acknowledges that global warming does exists and is the result of man-made CO2 emissions. The protocol was adopted in 1997 and came into force in 2005. The guiding principle is “common but different responsibilities:” and directs the obligation to reduce current emissions on the primary sources, developed countries, due to current levels of GHG being attributed to their industrial activity (“United Nations Framework,” n.d.). There is a built-in flexibility in how countries are to meet the reductions such as increased natural carbon sinks, emission trading, clean development mechanism in developing countries, and joint mechanism in which a developed country sponsors a developing country to decrease emission levels (“United Nations Framework,” …show more content…
Those parties who have agreed to the Kyoto Protocol and have accepted the target GHG reductions are assigned emissions amounts during specific commitment periods. The allowed emission is measured in units called assigned amount units (AAUs). Countries who have units to spare and are projected to pollute below the KP limits can sell those extra units to another country who perhaps will pollute above their target reduction level. AAUs are a commodity that can be traded. This markets benefits both the country that is polluting more, and the country that is polluting less in than the both receive a service in exchange. The polluters can remain in compliance, while the other party can make a profit on the fact that they are under the desired level. This give large industrial countries the opportunity to make reductions and allow for the development of alternative practices, which will take time. The goal is more achieve able and facilitates participation, rather than making it politically and financially impossible and limiting participation. The fees brought in offer incentive for those parties with credits to sell, to continue to reduce pollution so they can then sell more units. Overall reduction is achieved as all parties work towards the goals of a reduction in
1. Climate change is defined as a broad range of changes that are happening to the planet and include: Rising sea levels, shrinking mountain glaciers, accelerated ice melt at the poles, which is primarily the result of human activity of burning of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide (a heat trapping gas) into the air (Dunbar, n.d.).
The key arguments in support of global climate change include both natural cases and manmade causes. Some of these natural causes include changes in the earth’s orbit and the amount of energy coming from the sun, in addition to oceanic changes and volcanic eruptions (Dunbar, n.d.). These global changes cannot account for the significant temperature changes seen in the …show more content…
The Kyoto Protocol (KP) is an international agreement to reduce the global levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) and resulted from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which commits its parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets (“United Nations Framework,” n.d.).” The Kyoto Protocol acknowledges that global warming does exists and is the result of man-made CO2 emissions. The protocol was adopted in 1997 and came into force in 2005. The guiding principle is “common but different responsibilities:” and directs the obligation to reduce current emissions on the primary sources, developed countries, due to current levels of GHG being attributed to their industrial activity (“United Nations Framework,” n.d.). There is a built-in flexibility in how countries are to meet the reductions such as increased natural carbon sinks, emission trading, clean development mechanism in developing countries, and joint mechanism in which a developed country sponsors a developing country to decrease emission levels (“United Nations Framework,” …show more content…
Those parties who have agreed to the Kyoto Protocol and have accepted the target GHG reductions are assigned emissions amounts during specific commitment periods. The allowed emission is measured in units called assigned amount units (AAUs). Countries who have units to spare and are projected to pollute below the KP limits can sell those extra units to another country who perhaps will pollute above their target reduction level. AAUs are a commodity that can be traded. This markets benefits both the country that is polluting more, and the country that is polluting less in than the both receive a service in exchange. The polluters can remain in compliance, while the other party can make a profit on the fact that they are under the desired level. This give large industrial countries the opportunity to make reductions and allow for the development of alternative practices, which will take time. The goal is more achieve able and facilitates participation, rather than making it politically and financially impossible and limiting participation. The fees brought in offer incentive for those parties with credits to sell, to continue to reduce pollution so they can then sell more units. Overall reduction is achieved as all parties work towards the goals of a reduction in