THE Kyoto protocol, agreed nearly seven years ago, is likely to come into force in early 2005 following the Russian parliament鈥檚 22 October decision to ratify it.
Russia鈥檚 involvement is key to Kyoto because the treaty only comes into force if ratified by industrialised nations who together were producing 55 per cent of the world鈥檚 greenhouse gases in 1990. Although many experts don鈥檛 think the treaty will be enough to combat climate change (New 杏吧原创, 9 October, p 6), Russia鈥檚 action was welcomed.
鈥淚t marks a turning point in the history of efforts to tackle climate change,鈥� says Achim Steiner, director-general of the World Conservation Union. 鈥淭he world can now begin the crucial battle against global warming,鈥� says Catherine Pearce at Friends of the Earth International. 鈥淧ressure must now be put on the United States and Australia to join the fight.鈥� But the US 鈥� the world鈥檚 largest producer of greenhouse gases 鈥� shows no signs of doing so. Following the Russian vote, French news agency AFP quoted a US State Department spokesman who reiterated the country鈥檚 opposition to Kyoto. 鈥淲e have no intention of signing or ratifying it. We have not changed our views,鈥� he said.
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