It’s Time to Rethink Kyoto Protocol.

Newsday – Long Island, N.Y.
Author: Oran R. Young.
Date: Aug 1, 2001
Start Page: A.31
Section: VIEWPOINTS
Text Word Count: 672

Abstract (Document Summary)

Needed as well is a much-improved steering system. Because emissions of greenhouse gases come from many sources, we need a sophisticated and credible system for tracking not only aggregate concentrations of these gases in the atmosphere but also trends in emissions from a variety of sources. Linked to this is the need for flexible procedures for adjusting the rules regarding climate change that do not require protracted ratification procedures. Here, too, there is much to learn from the experience of addressing the problem of ozone depletion.

Nonetheless, the effort to address the problem of climate change at the international level has run into a brick wall.

Upbeat stories coming out of Bonn recently cannot hide the impasse over the Kyoto Protocol.

The United States, the source of almost 25 percent of worldwide carbon emissions, flatly refuses to accept the Kyoto rules.