Kyoto - Destined To Fail - Schechter

Alex Schechter
International Relations
Prof. Shirk





                                      

This semester in International Relations, we have learned about many interesting topics, but the one that has stood out to me the most is the topic of the Kyoto and Montreal Protocols, which we recently discussed. The Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987 by all western countries and aimed to improve the Ozone Layer, which it has. The Kyoto Protocol was an agreement reached in 1998, and aimed to reduce the effects of Climate Change. What stands out to me is the fact that the United States did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol. This is why I have chosen this political cartoon, which also just so happens to be appropriate based on the time of year it is. Santa is amused by the fact that it is snowing. Rather, the reindeer mentions that these white particles are not snow, but rather shreds of the Kyoto Protocol, which ended up to be a failure.

Before delving into the two protocols, it is important to first mention International Regimes. An International Regime is, “A system of principles, norms, rules, operating procedures and institutions that actors create or accept to regulate and coordinate action in a particular issue area of international relations.” (Prof. Shirk, Lecture 22) A regime can be Climate, Ozone, Forest, etc...Since 1987, the Montreal Protocol has worked to reduce chlorofluorocarbons around the world, thus protecting the Earth from the sun’s rays. Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, the United States signed the Montreal Protocol. This is important to notice. A report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency came out this year and estimates that the Montreal Protocol will prevent 280 million cases of skin cancer and 1.5 million skin cancer related deaths. That is a big number, and if the United States did not take part in this protocol, our Ozone Layer could still be deteriorating.

On the other hand, the Kyoto Protocol, which was not signed by the United States, was a complete failure, as mentioned by the reindeer in the cartoon above. One of the main factors that lead to the United States not signing the treaty was that many countries in the developing world did not sign this treaty as well. For example, China, India, and Brazil are expected to pass the United States fossil fuel emissions in the near future, but did not have to sign the Kyoto Protocol as well. With the way the treaty works, 14 out of the top 20 top emitting countries did not have to sign it. This is why the United States felt like it was unfair for them to have to sign. Do they have a point? Yes. Is it selfish though? Of course it is. I personally believe that our world should be taken care of in any way possible. I believe that global warming is a terrifying problem, and governments need to step up and start to fix the problem. There is another problem with the Kyoto Protocol that stands out to me as well. Unlike the Montreal Protocol, Kyoto leaves it up to the states how they will reduce emissions. With varied targets, and the lack of the inclusion of relevant states proves that the Kyoto Protocol was destined to fail. Unfortunately, Santa will have to keep dreaming for a white Christmas.