Kyoto Treaty

[Phil]

given that we're all experiencing weird weather

http://cellar.org/showthread.php?t=13023&page=3

and other strange phenomena, isnt it about time America signed up to the treaty and big industries took action, to set an example to the public to do their part?

do you do your part?

[Undertoad]

You first, hypocrite

[xoxoxoBruce]

We could make a pretty good dent in it by throwing all the illegals out. Since 1990 (base year) our population has skyrocketed from 249 million to 301 million. A large part of this is illegals and their spawn (legals). No wonder emissions are up.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

You first, hypocrite

I'm well aware of the hypocrisy, but my point was to bring the big industries into line would go a long way to encouraging the average Joe to do their part, e.g., recycling, saving energy etc.
If the USA would sign the treaty, perhaps that would set an example to the American public.
btw, our Govt is the hypocrite, not me.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

You first, hypocrite

Originally Posted by first link

A DTI spokeswoman said the UK's total carbon dioxide emissions, including the contribution from homes, cars and air travel, was now expected to total some 529 million tons by 2010.
That is 10.6 per cent below their level in 1990 - but compared with the Government's own target of a 20 per cent cut - or even the 12 per cent reduction required to meet Kyoto, they are not meeting requirements.

Their goal was 20, and their obligation was 12, but they got 10.6. How did the US, with no goal or obligation, do, as a reference for comparison? Is the 10% reduction just a result of natural technological adoption, or did they do something to get there?

[yesman065]

It the cows I tell ya!!

[Phil]

Originally Posted by yesman065

It the cows I tell ya!!

theres a lot of truth in that statement. a first time for everything.

[yesman065]

Originally Posted by Phil

theres a lot of truth in that statement. a first time for everything.

Ouch!

[Phil]

Originally Posted by yesman065

Ouch!

[Undertoad]

via second link

In the U.S., figures released by the Energy Information Administration at the end of 2004 showed that emissions had risen by 13.4 percent from 1990 levels.

But according to 2003 figures cited by Friends of the Earth Europe this week, some countries which, unlike the U.S., do have legally binding Kyoto targets are doing as badly, or even worse.

For instance, Austria was set a Kyoto target of -13 percent, but emissions are running at +16.6 percent. Italy's target was -6.5 percent, and its actual emissions are +11.6 percent. Others that are off target include Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, while France, Britain and Germany are nearer to being on track.

Compared to the aggregate -8 percent target for the E.U.'s then 15 member states, the actual situation is -1.7.

"If current trends continue, Europe will not meet its Kyoto target," the green group said, adding that "if emission levels continue to develop as they did over the last three years, the [15 E.U. members'] emissions in 2010 will be +2.8 percent above of what they were in 1990."

The UK has been changing from coal to natural gas which is where their savings lie.

Industry does most of the polluting and dumps most of the co2 and that is where we need to focus first... the treaty needs to be signed and adhered to, now.
The US population, also, needs to get off of our asses and reduce our individual carbon footprint... soon, it should be legislated.
However, if we go after industry first, all of our appliances will be more efficient already. That will automatically give us a smaller carbon footprint.

[Happy Monkey]

So there's really no call to accuse the UK of hypocracy. If it had been Austria or Italy, perhaps, but the UK is doing quite well.

[yesman065]

Perhaps touche' would have been more appropo.
Is it warm in here or is it just me?

[Irie]

Considering China has almost four times the population of the U.S. but uses half the amount of oil, I think the first step anyone should take is the people of the U.S. (most likely lead out of necessity by the government) need to make a huge change in our dependency.

Which in essence means that the U.S. needs to stop backing out of things we sign like a no-good lazy uncle. The Geneva Convention and the Kyoto Treaty, two very important agreements between the cultures of the world, are now being used to wipe the asses of our government. What happened to simple morals? Does our Cabinet remind anyone else of a bunch of jocks trying to run "the best party ever?"

[JerryM]

Originally Posted by Irie

The Geneva Convention and the Kyoto Treaty, two very important agreements between the cultures of the world, are now being used to wipe the asses of our government.

1. Just for the record, the US (rightfully) never signed the Kyoto treaty - as it was ONLY aimed at bringing the standard of living of the "haves" down to that of the "have-nots". The only limits were to be placed on the "wealthy countries".

A question for you, what percentage of CO2 emitted during 2006 do you suppose was emitted by natural emitters (volcanoes, etc), and what percent was emitted by the people of the USA?
Why do you suppose most "liberals" oppose any of the many possible alternative energy sources available (Teddy Kennedy opposed a wind farm near the "Kennedy Compound"). Could it be an overwhelming sense of guilt for having more than many other countries?

2. The Geneva Convention rules for treatment of POWs do not apply to people not in uniform (non-combatants) except to authorize their execution as spies when they are apprehended acting as combatants. Al Qaeda did not have a representative at the Geneva Convention, and are not signatories of that treaty.