Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
emissions by 14 per cent by 1999. Luxemburg has reduced its emission by a
massive 59 per cent. Both countries have already achieved their Kyoto goals
for 2012.
Since 1990, the emissions of the US have shot up significantly so that it is
nearly impossible for the US to achieve its Kyoto emission goal. Given this
background, the US has declared it would not ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Since
the US is responsible for a large amount of global greenhouse gas emissions,
this is a major setback for the international efforts on climatic protection.
Nevertheless, most of the other Annex I countries want to keep the Kyoto
protocol alive.
The above-described scenarios reflect the present climate reality. A further
reduction in CO
2
emissions by Annex I countries is not very probable,
although it could be realized technically as well as economically. However,
there is a glimmer of hope for the long term. Systems utilizing renewable
energy resources have reached a high level of technical development. The
European Union wants to drastically increase the amount of renewables used
in the coming years. Should this be achieved, Europe would set an example
internationally. If other countries were to follow this example, climate
protection could be enhanced more than expected from today's viewpoint. The
negative consequences of climate change cannot be avoided entirely, but the
magnitude of the change could be limited. For this purpose, all nations have to
show more responsibility in future climate negotiations and have to keep in
mind that future generations will suffer the full consequences of our current
irresponsible treatment of Earth's climate.
