Does Global Warming Increase the Intensity of Atmospheric Natural Disasters?
Jacqueline Porter-Clinton
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The Government
The United States was one of more than 160 nations that negotiated in December 1997 to reduce net emissions of certain greenhouse gases, (primarily carbon dioxide (CO2)).This agreement is called the Kyoto Protocol. Each of the participating developed countries must decide how to meet its respective reduction goal during a five-year period (2008 - 2012). (Briefing Paper, 1998) The United States backed out of the agreement one year later. The President proposed setting a goal for late 2008 for establishing non-binding emissions reduction targets.
Under this proposal, the United States would host and lead a series of talks over the next 18 months, which include the 15 nation that emit the most greenhouse gases, including large developing nations such as China and India.
These negotiations would create an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012 by setting "a long-term global goal" to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
However, this plan is a goal and therefore voluntary. There would be no binding commitments, and each nation would be free to develop their own strategies for meeting the goal. (Union of Concerned Scientist, 2007)
