Resolution Essay

One of the most pressing issues facing humanity today is rising global temperatures . The United Sates has a definite role in contributing to the temperature increase . After the adoption of the Kyoto treaty by most industrialized nations , the United States is under greater pressure to adopt the same standards and commitments to greenhouse gas reductions . Some scholars would assert the following statement : unless the objective of the Kyoto protocol is met by the US , world climate change is imminent , and has dire consequences . However , this statement is not logically consistent and must

be broken down into its individual parts . First of all , the validity of climate change and its future must be evaluated . Second , the consequences of world climate change being dire ' must be evaluated . Third , what is the impact of the US meeting the Kyoto protocol standards ? Fourth , if the Kyoto treaty is met by the US , will dire environmental consequences be avoided ? Finally , after these questions are answered we will have a clear resolution of the problem of US involvement in climate change

Much of the data for the Kyoto policy came from the research conducted by the International Panel on Climate Change (ICPP ) in a report released in 2001 . This study was conducted at the request of the United States Senate . Although some scientists say that the earth naturally undergoes climate change , the Climate Change 2001 : The Scientific Basis report clearly shows an increase in atmospheric greenhouse gasses , mainly carbon dioxide , methane , and nitrous oxide , over the span of industrialization (International Panel on Climate Change [ICPP] , 2001 Additionally , these gasses have a lifespan of greater then one decade and the atmosphere is well mixed between these gasses . Additionally the report shows (ICPP , 2001

The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) has increased by 31 since 1750 . The present CO2 concentration has not been exceeded during the past 420 ,000 years and likely7 not during the past 20 million years . The current rate of increase is unprecedented during at least the past 20 ,000 years . About three-quarters of the anthropogenic emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere during the past 20 years is due to fossil fuel burning . The rest is predominantly due to land-use change , especially deforestation (p . 17

This data is agreed upon around the world , with some variations in the degree

However , the impacts of increased atmospheric gases on the world are more highly contested . There is agreement that the world is getting warmer . The greatest effect will be found in the northern regions of North America and North and Central Asia with amounts greater than 40 by 2100 (IPCC , 2001 . The effects the rise in temperature may have on food supply , geography , and living conditions are highly debated . There is no doubt there will be an impact , and since the writing of the IPCC report , the world is already experiencing these changes

If the United States meets the Kyoto standards for greenhouse emissions levels , it will assist in stabilizing the current levels of greenhouse gasses...