Kyoto ProtocolKyoto Protocol

Ryan O’Leary

Econ 439

Ryan O’Leary

Econ 439

OverviewOverview

Initial Question Outline Kyoto Protocol Mechanisms involved Journal articles reviewed Bush Administration position Conclusion Q & A

Initial Question Outline Kyoto Protocol Mechanisms involved Journal articles reviewed Bush Administration position Conclusion Q & A

Concerns Around the Bush Administration and the

Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol

Concerns Around the Bush Administration and the

Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol

What is the Kyoto Protocol?What is the Kyoto Protocol?

Agreement between developing and industrialized nations

Collective effort to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

Adopted on Dec 11th, ‘97 in Kyoto Japan Most participants must reduce GHG at least

5.2% by 2012

Agreement between developing and industrialized nations

Collective effort to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

Adopted on Dec 11th, ‘97 in Kyoto Japan Most participants must reduce GHG at least

5.2% by 2012

3 GHG Basics3 GHG Basics

1) Largest share of GHG emissions stems from developed nations

2) Per-capita emissions in developing nations are relatively low

3) GHG emissions in developing nations will continue to grow to meet social and development needs

1) Largest share of GHG emissions stems from developed nations

2) Per-capita emissions in developing nations are relatively low

3) GHG emissions in developing nations will continue to grow to meet social and development needs

Kyoto MechanismsKyoto Mechanisms

Emissions trading Between nations

Joint implementation (JI) Project in participating Annex 1 nation

Clean development mechanism (CDM) Non Annex 1 nation, afforestation and

reforestation projects.

Emissions trading Between nations

Joint implementation (JI) Project in participating Annex 1 nation

Clean development mechanism (CDM) Non Annex 1 nation, afforestation and

reforestation projects.

Selected ArticlesSelected Articles

Carey, John and Sarah Shapiro. 2004. Global Warming. Business Week, Issue 3896. Pages 60 – 69.

Isla, Ana. 2007. The Kyoto Protocol. Women & Environments International Magazine. Issue 74/75. Pages 30 – 33

Kriz, Margaret. 2007. Cleaner Air, Cleaner Water. National Journal, Vol 39 (Issue 3): Page 20 - 22

Carey, John and Sarah Shapiro. 2004. Global Warming. Business Week, Issue 3896. Pages 60 – 69.

Isla, Ana. 2007. The Kyoto Protocol. Women & Environments International Magazine. Issue 74/75. Pages 30 – 33

Kriz, Margaret. 2007. Cleaner Air, Cleaner Water. National Journal, Vol 39 (Issue 3): Page 20 - 22

Global GHG EmissionsGlobal GHG Emissions

US Contribution to GHGUS Contribution to GHG

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/usgginventory.html

Bush AdministrationBush Administration

Yet to ratify protocol… “the Bush Administration flatly rejects Kyoto and

mandatory [pollution] curbs.” - Carey & Shapiro "No nation will mortgage its growth and

prosperity to cut greenhouse-gas emissions.” - Energy Secretary Abraham

Harmful to economy and could promote job loss

Yet to ratify protocol… “the Bush Administration flatly rejects Kyoto and

mandatory [pollution] curbs.” - Carey & Shapiro "No nation will mortgage its growth and

prosperity to cut greenhouse-gas emissions.” - Energy Secretary Abraham

Harmful to economy and could promote job loss

Bush Admin Cont…Bush Admin Cont…

Bush Admin does not want to be tied down to a hard numbers

Bush Admin un easy about develping countries held to different standards

Overall to costly too the economy Job losses

Bush Admin does not want to be tied down to a hard numbers

Bush Admin un easy about develping countries held to different standards

Overall to costly too the economy Job losses

ConclusionsConclusions

Bush Admin acknowledges the importance of curbing GHG emissions

Bush Admin feels the protocol is too costly and therefore opts not to ratify

Kyoto plays an important role in uniting nations with a combined effort to reduce GHG emission and curb global warming

Bush Admin acknowledges the importance of curbing GHG emissions

Bush Admin feels the protocol is too costly and therefore opts not to ratify

Kyoto plays an important role in uniting nations with a combined effort to reduce GHG emission and curb global warming

Q & AQ & A