Green News

Since the Kyoto Protocol came into effect this week it has been heartening to see all the articles in the press promoting green living.

One hopes that these become a regular feature and are not relegated. While Kyoto does not nearly begin to solve the problem of climate alteration, it is mostly definitely a start.

188 countries have ratified or accepted the Convention on Climate Change since it's inception in the earlies '90s: the exceptions are Andorra, Brunei Darussalem, Holy See, Iraq, and Somalia.

However, only 141 countries have ratified the Kyoto Protocol which followed the convention. 6 more countries, including the US and Australia, have signed the Protocol but have not ratified it yet.

So that's 40% of greenhouse gas emissions that the offending countries refuse to deal with. And with the whole Protocol only asking an average 5% decrease in emissions, the scope of the problem really starts to be apparent.

THe UNs own page on Kyoto is a good start to really get into this. Watch out, it can be convoluted.

It leaves you wondering if the UN has any purpose any more.