Imagine waking up to a world that had been severely destroyed by global warming. There wouldn't be any more snow on Antarctica and our hot springs would be icy cold. Changes like this seem unbelievable but possible when global warming takes its toll. There is a way to stop global warming but many ignorant individuals seem to think that it is based on “flawed ideas” (Houts) and nothing should be done about it. The main destroyer would be George W. Bush who is well aware of this environmental issue but decides to look the other way. As the world's leading carbon emitter, the United States should take part in the Kyoto Accord to help stop global warming.
The Kyoto Accord is the first international agreement to help stop global warming. It has been signed by 141 nations, which include all the industrial nations omitting the United States and Australia. The Kyoto's goal is to save the planet from disastrous human caused effects that lead to global warming by getting 38 industrialized countries to reduce their combined annual gas emissions to 5.2 percent by 2012. Global warming is a hazard to the world because it is a scientific fact that our climate is getting warmer. It is caused by greenhouse gases which are mostly made up by dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
The process that is leading the world to get warmer is that greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere causing it to heat like a greenhouse. (White) This is a world wide danger because it can result in the melting of glaciers and artic ice sheets which will lead to the rising sea levels to inundate coastal areas. (White) Many different areas can expect major flooding if nothing is done to stop global warming such as London, New York, Shanghai, and Bombay. Global warming is also behind the changing of weather patterns that increase the risks of droughts, hurricanes and above all health problems. Many people believe if something isn't done the effects of the climate change will be felt most in the developing world.
The United States benefits by taking the responsibility to take part in the Kyoto Accord in order to help the environment stabilize, by cutting emissions of gases linked to global warming. It would keep the climate under control and keep people from fearing the worst. One of the main reasons many are in favor for the signing of the Kyoto is so that they won't have to live in fear of something happing at a blink of an eye. People want to be able to maintain global warming at an arms length and not have to deal with it because they don't want to be in danger. People tend to fear change and that's what global warming is. It is change in something that was already done a certain way.
As one of the main polluters the United States should take the initiative to make things right by at least trying to take part in the prevention of global warming. “As the world's largest economy, the US remains the world's leading carbon emitter, and both the American and European economies are far bigger emitters than either China or India on a per-capita basis.” (Washington) Even though these countries don't compare to the US they have taken the commitment to stop global warming seriously because it has become a threat to everyone and they want to do something about it. They haven't let anything stop them from signing such a treaty so why wouldn't the richest country sign it to take part in such a global act?
If the United States would take part in the Kyoto Accord it would help be one step closer to getting rid of global warming. It would not only be helping the ambience but it would also be helping itself become a stronger nation. “Under the protocol there are national targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the United States originally committed itself to the reduction of 7 percent.” (Kyoto 189) By reducing itself the US would help drastically and not loose that many emissions. The benefit it would get by ratifying the Kyoto Treaty would be that the largest polluter would be part of an international effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Natoli) It would still be able to produce what it needs to keep the economy flowing smoothly, which is what it really wants. By signing the Kyoto the US can also benefit financially because it can sell the carbon it has. “Carbon has a value of about US$ 15 to 25 at current market prices and provides the opportunity for the rural populations to earn income from tree planting projects.” (Kruse)
