The Kyoto Protocol

Kyoto Protocol

The environment is one of, if not the most important and essential item to life on our planet. Protecting it and its survival is elemental. For many decades people have disregarded certain things in the environment such as the misuse of aerosol spray cans, or how much fuel they burned up by driving around aimlessly, and even not recycling objects when the opportunity was there. These actions along with the actions of companies and other culprits have led to the decay of our ozone layer, the very thing that protects us all. This is why certain international environmental laws were put into effect to protect the layer that protects us.

Due to the disregard of certain international environmental laws, the planet has experienced a significant climate change. Because of this, governments have imposed large fines, penalties and sanctions for those who choose to violate these international environmental laws. With this, came the establishment of the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change .It is a legally binding agreement under which industrialized countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% . As per this agreement, 37 industrialized nations agree to commit themselves to reduce four greenhouse gases. These gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride. This international environmental law is designed specifically to protect our ozone layer and prevent any further damage such as holes, which would let dangerous UV rays enter our atmosphere. After the ratification of this protocol, many supporters were happy in seeing emissions go down. Carbon dioxide has long been credited as the reason the planet has been heating up due to the high emissions of it. However, even the supporters and petitioners of international environmental laws, were also against the Kyoto Protocol. They criticize that the protocol does not go far enough to reduce emissions, and that the cost of it has far outweighed its benefits. However they may disagree, these 2 groups can agree on one thing, the world has taken a positive step towards a solution by putting this into effect.

International environmental laws should exist in excess and more should be passed each year. Protecting the environment is essential to the survival of people in the world, and should not be taken for granted. The Kyoto Protocol looks at the biggest picture of all and that is emissions into our air by 37 nations that are seen as the most industrialized. This is not where the problem ends though, there are other things to take into consideration such as recycling and protecting our oceans. There is a need for stricter laws protecting our oceans and the sea life in them, and more substantial fines and punishment for those who violate and pollute them. There are many issues as important as this one, and worse. The stretch of where international environmental laws need to be implemented is very vast, but every day we are taking a step as a whole to improve. The Kyoto Protocol was a crucial plus to our environment, and we should hope to see more action in the future.