Talks about a second protocol to replace Kyoto have are in full swing.
Well that title isn't completely true. The Kyoto protocol, which started in 1997 with intentions of lowering green house gases by 5.6%, will come to an end in 2012. But last December, 10 years after the protocol was made famous, negotiations began in Bali India for a second protocol to take its place. Right off the bat spectators noticed that the 10 000 participants from 180 countries were taking things seriously. The world leaders, environmentalists and media crews were all dressed a little less formally. We saw the participants stripped of the shirt and tie ritual as they wore T-shirt and shorts so they could turn down the air conditioner witch is a big polluter in cars and homes. The contract that was discussed will only come in to play after Kyoto, so in January 2013, but it is already taking a very different shape then its sibling. Instead of setting dates and goals the Bali protocol will support funds for global warming disasters and set up projects to help develop new technologies that will benefit the climate.
The protocol isn't complete just yet but there is already a big consensus on a few elements. There will be four key parts: Adaptation, money, technology and change. The funds set aside for countries with global warming crises will be in the adaptation category Money will be distributed to the countries most likely to be affected by disasters so that they can prepare in advanced. Scientists estimate that even with the success of a new protocol, the climate is already damaged and we will start to see consequences
On another hand, environmentalists are very enthusiastic the changes in technology will widely help in the protection of our environment. There is already a lot of progress in this profitable domain and new products are finally starting to hit the market. Examples are the mechanical plant, more profitable solar panels and plats that will adapt to drought and dry periods.
The third step is change. It consists of offering countries a list of ways they can use to lower or “curb” there emissions. The list will be made with the idea of “something for everyone.” The main objective of the list will be to find solutions that would be ideal for rich countries as well as the poorer countries.
But the biggest change that is necessary is the cooperation of the biggest polluters, and the United-states aren't the only guilty ones. Canada signed Kyoto but like many other countries failed to meet the objectives. Also, India and China weren't part of Kyoto because they were still considered as developing countries back in 1997. The fourth aspect is the most important one and it is supposed to help change the richer countries who can only talk about profit. The goal would be to create several technologies that wouldn't jeopardize the wealth of a country and that would also help develop the poorest of countries.
Environmentalists and world leaders hope to have a more detailed plan before the end of 2009 and they seem to be taking the right steps. There's already a lot of optimism about this new protocol that will help rich and poor countries. It will help the environment and the economy. We can only hope that our governments start to take the global warming problem a little more seriously.
