Global Warming Laws

Benefits of Recycling.com is presenting this series of pages on global warming becaue we believe there is evidence to support it is real. Even so, we are open to be proven wrong, which is why there are pages on why it is not real. Fair is fair.

The truth is we just want people to be aware that human activities (as well as natural causes) have the possibility of creating adverse effects in the US, Antarctica, Greenland, and throughout the world.

Global warming can also be detrimental to wildlife such as polar bears, creatures like sea turtles, and sea life like coral reefs,not to mention human health, due to the spread of disease.

So is global warming a myth or are there facts to support it as a reality of our times? Is there really such a thing as the greenhouse effect? And if so, what is that?

Whether you believe global warming is real or not, we invite you to read what we have uncovered on the many pages of this site... and beyond. Remember, knowledge is power.

Global Warming Laws / What can we do about the trends?

When the scientists identified a rapid progression of global warming followed by serious climate changes during the last decades of the 20th century, humanity started to look for the options to slow down those threatening trends.

Moreover, since human activity is believed to be the major cause of global warming, it seems fair enough that humans will make efforts to fix the environmental problems (including finding ways to prevent global warming), we are all faced with.

Global Warming Laws / The Koyoto Protocol

Today the actual steps to prevent further progression of global warming and climate changes are defined in a number of laws, regulations and international treaties. However, the most significant law in the sphere of global climate protection is called Kyoto Protocol.

Another important document is United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Changes. In fact, these two documents are closely related with each other: while the convention recommends certain steps to prevent global warming progression, the Kyoto Protocol commits countries that signed the document, to follow those steps.

Global Warming Laws / The Greenhouse Gas Effect

The major goal of the above mentioned international treaties is to stabilize the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and even to reduce it. It is a scientifically proven fact that the growing concentration of greenhouse gases increases the average global temperature, thus accelerating global warming processes.

Since the major amount of greenhouse gases are released during particular manufacturing processes, Kyoto Protocol aims primarily to reduce those emissions in different countries around the world.

Global Warming Laws / The 4 Gases to Watch

Four greenhouse gases are targeted by the Kyoto Protocol.

They are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and sulphur hexafluoride. Reducing the emission of carbon dioxide is prehaps the most significant, since it is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas after water vapor, and this gas is released in huge amounts when fossil fuels are burned for energy.

Besides, the Kyoto Protocol also calls for reduction of hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons, which also have a negative impact of global climate.

Countries involved are making positive changes by exploring alternative forms of energy (wind, ethanol, nuclear, solar, etc.), manufacturing alternative energy vehicles, developing localized recycling programs, and more.

Global Warming Laws / The Countries

The industrialized countries that ratified the Protocol, such as Germany, Canada, France, Japan, UK and others, which are considered to be the major sources of greenhouse gases, agreed to reduce their collective greenhouse gases emissions by 5.2% from the base level in 1990. This goal should be achieved till 2012.

To date 184 countries signed the Kyoto Protocol, which was initially adopted in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan. What is interesting to note is that the USA, being the largest greenhouse gas emitter on the per capita basis, has not yet ratified this international treaty.

The United States, on the other hand, developed several other its own laws. One of them is called Clean Air Act. Though this document does not focus directly on the greenhouse gases, as the Kyoto Protocol, it also sets important goals to improve the quality of air and limit the emissions of harmful gases into the atmosphere.

Finally, it is important to note that the first commitment period, defined the Kyoto Protocol, will end in 2012. Consequently, a new international treaty is expected to appear with new legal requirements for the countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases and thus prevent further progression of global warming.

Global Warming Laws / Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol#Increase_in_greenhouse_gas_emission_since_1990
http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Air_Act
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215471/global_warming.htm

For more information on Global Warming follow these links:

Definition for Global Warming

When Did Global Warming Start

How To Stop Global Warming

More Ways to Prevent Global Warming

Global Warming is Real

Facts on Global Warming

Global Warming Evidence

Global Warming is Not Real

More Global Warming Myths

Global Warming Predictions

Global Warming Trends

Global Warming Hurricanes

Global Warming Antarctica

Global Warming Greenland

Human Effects of Global Warming

Natural Causes of Global Warming