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U.S.
Mayors Abide by Kyoto Treaty |
Posted:
08.08.05
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In an unprecedented move for local officials, over 100 mayors
across the country have agreed to abide by the terms of an international
environmental treaty that President Bush rejected.
Printer-friendly versions: PDF
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At the U.S. Conference of Mayors in June, 168 mayors from 37
states committed their cities to the Kyoto Protocol, which aims
to combat global warming by decreasing the emissions of greenhouse
gasses.
The mayors, both Democrats and Republicans, believe that the
growing threat of global warming necessitates immediate action.
Their decision to meet or beat the conditions of the Kyoto Protocol
will require their cities to reduce pollution from cars and power
plants to 1990 levels before the year 2012. Since 1990, greenhouse
gas emissions have increased by an average of one percent annually.
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The Kyoto
Protocol |
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The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement to decrease
the emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gasses.
So far, 153 countries have ratified the treaty, constituting more
than 61 percent of global emissions. The treaty was negotiated
in Kyoto, Japan in 1997, but did not go into effect until February
2005. Member nations must reduce their collective emissions of
greenhouse gases by 5.2 percent compared to the year 1990.
 President
Bush chose not to sign the treaty, citing concerns about the accuracy
of scientific data on global warming. He said scientists have
yet to determine whether temperature increases are the result
of human activity or natural causes.
In addition, President Bush said the treaty endangered the U.S.
economy by not requiring developing nations, such as China, a
country the U.S. considers an economic competitor, to curb its
emissions as well.
The administration said it could not support a treaty that "exempts
80 percent of the world from compliance and would cause serious
harm to the U.S. economy."
The president's decision to not sign onto the treaty has been
extremely controversial abroad because the United States produces
22 percent of the world's greenhouse gasses despite making up
only four percent of its total population.
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The Mayors'
Initiative |
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The mayors who signed the treaty believe the time has come to
confront the issue of global warming and feel the treaty will
not have deleterious effects on the economy.
 "The
United States inevitably will have to join this effort,"
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said. "Ultimately we will make
it impossible for the federal government to say no. They will
both see that it can be done without huge economic disruption
and they will see that there's support throughout the country
to do this."
The mayors have proposed a series of strategies that they can
implement on a local level: restoring forests, reducing urban
sprawl, developing alternative energy technologies and educating
the public. Some energy efficient initiatives are as cheap and
simple as carpooling, while others are as costly and complex as
the construction of light-rail or monorail lines.
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Results? |
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Nickels has led the campaign for new pollution goals, and his
city has led by example. Greenhouse gas emissions fell 60 percent
in Seattle between 1990 and 2000, according to city government
officials. The city implemented climate-friendly initiatives both
large and small, adapting its power utility company into the country's
only zero net greenhouse gas emitter and compensating individual
citizens who carpool with cash rewards or the free use of city-owned
cars when needed.
Many other cities are now attempting to replicate Seattle's success.
 According
to the Climate Group, a British-based consultant, 17 major U.S.
cities have lowered their emissions below 1990 levels and saved
$600 million. Similarly, 156 cities reduced their combined greenhouse
gas emissions by 23 million tons.
To encourage emission reductions, the city of Chicago created
a computerized marketplace for the exchange of emissions credits.
Government operations and businesses unable to meet their emissions
goals can purchase credits from other marketplace members that
have achieved better than expected levels of reduction. The marketplace,
known as the Chicago Climate Exchange, currently has more than
100 members.
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Potential
Problems |
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Pollution in outlying areas makes it difficult for cities to
achieve and sustain reductions in their levels of greenhouse gas
emissions. Despite Seattle's success, for example, experts predict
the emission rate in the larger Puget Sound area will increase
20 percent above the 1990 level by 2010.
Also, a new federal energy bill, which President Bush is expected
to sign Aug. 8, does not require an overall reduction in gas emissions,
but instead asks industries to lower their projected rate of emission
increases.
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Compiled by Zach Werner for NewsHour Extra
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