Some of the polution from factory smokestacks is visible and some of the polution, such as the greenhouse gases, is invisible. The Kyoto Protocol agreement between nations will cut the amount of greenhouses gases released. Click on image for full size (133K JPG) UCAR

As of February 16, 2005, the Kyoto Protocol is in effect. Countries from around the world have signed the Kyoto Protocol, agreeing to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into Earth's atmosphere, which will slow the rate of global warming. The Kyoto Protocol is an opportunity for the world to work together. According to Junichiro Koizumi, the Japanese Prime Minister, "from now, we have to build a system in which more nations will work together under the common framework to stop global warming".

Over the past 150 years, humans have caused an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mainly from the burning of fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels for purposes such as powering cars, factories, and homes, releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The arrangement of atoms in these gases allows them to trap heat in our atmosphere. The increased amounts of greenhouse gases cause warming of the planet.

One hundred and forty-one counties have signed to the Kyoto Protocol. By signing, countries agree to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases they release into the atmosphere. Overall, the cuts will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 5.2% by the year 2012 for the countries that agree to the Protocol. That may not seem like much of a drop, but it will be a challenge for many countries where the amount of greenhouse gases released has generally been increasing each year.

Not all countries of the world signed the Kyoto Protocol. The countries that did sign it together account for 55% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. The country that emits the most greenhouse gases, the United States, has not agreed to sign the Kyoto Protocol. In 2001, United States President George W Bush decided that the US would not participate. Large developing countries including India, China and Brazil are not required to make changes to the amount of greenhouse gases they release either.

The Kyoto Protocol will not cause enough change to stop global warming caused by increased amounts of greenhouses gases, but it is a good first step. According to Klaus Toepfer, head of the United Nations Environment Program, more hard work needs to be done to fight global warming and its possible effects on the world's climate.

Some of the polution from factory smokestacks is visible and some of the polution, such as the greenhouse gases, is invisible. The Kyoto Protocol agreement between nations will cut the amount of greenhouses gases released. Click on image for full size ( 133K JPG ) UCAR

Countries from around the world have agreed to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases they release into Earth's atmosphere. This will help slow the speed of global warming. As of February 16, 2005, the Kyoto Protocol, which states this agreement between nations, is in effect!

Over the past 150 years, humans have caused an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. One large reason for the increase is because burning fossil fuels releases them into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat in our atmosphere. So, having more of them causes the planet to warm.

One hundred and forty-one counties have signed to the Kyoto Protocol. By signing, countries agree to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases they release into the atmosphere. Overall, countries that have agreed to the Protocol will reduce emissions by 5.2% within the next seven years. That may not seem like much of a drop, but it will be a challenge for many countries where the amount of greenhouse gases released has been increasing each year.

Not all countries of the world signed the Kyoto Protocol. The countries that did sign it together account for 55% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. However, the country that emits the most greenhouse gases, the United States, did not agreed to sign the Kyoto Protocol. In 2001, United States President George W. Bush decided that the US would not participate. Large developing countries such as India, China, and Brazil are not required to make changes either.

The Kyoto Protocol will not cause enough change to stop global warming caused by increased amounts of greenhouses gases, but it is a good first step. According to Klaus Toepfer, head of the United Nations Environment Program, more hard work needs to be done to fight global warming and its possible effects on the world's climate.

Some of the polution from factory smokestacks is visible and some of the polution, such as the greenhouse gases, is invisible. The Kyoto Protocol agreement between nations will cut the amount of greenhouses gases released. Click on image for full size ( 133K JPG ) UCAR

One hundred and forty-one counties from around the world have agreed to reduce the amount of pollution they release into the air. This will help to slow the amount of global warming! The agreement that each country signed is called the Kyoto Protocol.

The types of air pollution that the countries are trying to reduce through this agreement are called greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat in our atmosphere. So, having more of them causes the planet to warm. People release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere in many ways. One big way is by burning fossil fuels to drive cars, power factories, and warm houses.

Not all countries of the world signed the Kyoto Protocol. Of the greenhouse gases released each year, the countries that signed the agreement cause about half of them. The country that makes the most greenhouse gases, the United States, did not agreed to sign the Kyoto Protocol. In 2001, President George W. Bush decided that the US would not participate. Large developing countries such as India, China, and Brazil are not required to make changes either.