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Russia to Ratify Kyoto Treaty

Posted by michael on from the left-out-in-the-cold dept.

Repran writes "The Guardian reports that politicians, industry leaders and environment groups across the world welcomed the news last night that Russia had rejuvenated international efforts to combat climate change by ratifying the Kyoto protocol."

4 of 73 comments (clear)

  1. It won't be hard for them to meet their obligation by Kuad · · Score: 3, Informative

    Think about it. Kyoto has 1990 emissions for a baseline. Russia's heavy industry was still going ahead mostly full steam from the Soviet days. Since then, their economy has contracted quite a bit and a lot of industry sits idle. I'd wager they've already met their Kyoto requirements and the hard part will be keeping emissions down, rather than cutting more.

    Britain is somewhat similar in their Kyoto targets. The government was converting coal fired plants to natural gas en-masse already, so cutting emissions by 10% was a trivial exercise.

  2. Re:too bad... by raider_red · · Score: 4, Informative

    Too bad 98 senators sent a letter to Pres. Clinton saying they'd vote against ratifying it.

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    It's good to use your head, but not as a battering ram.
  3. duh... by Keebler71 · · Score: 4, Informative
    why wouldn't they.. it would have no impact on them: from Wikipedia
    So, for instance, Russia currently easily meets its targets, and can sell off its credits for millions of dollars to countries that don't yet meet their targets, Canada for instance.
    So they would be stupid not too... signing on means they can actually make money by trading their "unused pollution ration".
    --
    "It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance." - Thomas Sowell
  4. Re:too bad... by N3WBI3 · · Score: 4, Informative
    Umm lets see...

    98 Senators voted not to ratify the treaty, and 2 did not vote at all. Thats right boys and girls not one US senator (Democrat or Republican) Voted for Kyoto, so how is this bushes fault?

    Kyoto is seriously flawed, China (one of the worlds most industrial nations) and India (very quickly growing) are exempt for emissions requirements, its a joke aimed at the west..

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