The Kyoto Protocol and Copenhagen Climate Change Conference IB Geography I

Essential Questions Write these questions down, and we will answer them at the end… How successful have we been at the global level to combat climate change? What stands in the way of having greater commitment at the global scale?

Take 1 minute to write 1 claim related trend found in this graph…

Take 1 minute to write 1 claim related to patterns found in this graph…

Kyoto Protocol. What is it? The Kyoto Protocol is part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC), and is aimed at fighting global warming. The UNFCCC is an international environmental treaty with the goal of achieving "stabilization of greenhouse gases concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human) interference with the climate system."

Who? The Protocol was initially adopted in December of 1997 in Kyoto, Japan and entered into force in February of 2005. As of July 2010, 191 states have signed and ratified the protocol. Unfortunately, the US which is one of the world's biggest polluters, signed but decided not to ratify the treaty. Canada withdrew from it in 2011.

Kyoto Protocol Countries Green: Signed and Ratified Orange: Signed and did not Ratify Red: Signed and Withdrew Purple: Signed but with no binding targets

The Details Under the Protocol, countries commit themselves to a reduction of four greenhouse gases (GHG) (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexaflouride) Countries also agreed to reduce their collective greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2% from the 1990 level.

Is it working? The Kyoto Protocol, while well intentioned, would appear to be doomed to failing its objectives even before the 2008-2012 averaging period commences. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are rising at a frightening rate with no sign of slowing. Global temperatures are continuing to rise. 

Video CNN: The History of the Kyoto Protocol http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2009/12/06/coren.kyoto.backgrounder.cnn

Copenhagen. What is it? The 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as the Copenhagen Summit, was held in Copenhagen, Denmark between 7 December and 18 December. The Copenhagen Accord was drafted by the US, India, China, Brazil and South Africa on December 18, and judged a "meaningful agreement" by the United States government. It was "taken note of", but not "adopted", in a debate of all the participating countries the next day, and it was not passed unanimously.

The Details The document recognized that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the present day and that actions should be taken to keep any temperature increases to below 2°C. The document is not legally binding and does not contain any legally binding commitments for reducing CO2 emissions.

Finding Agreements Climate change agreements have proved difficult to achieve because MEDC and LEDC cannot find agreement on cuts. MEDCs are the biggest polluters so should reduce emissions. However, LEDCs say they should be given the right to develop (and pollute) just like MEDCs have in the past. MEDCs argue that this unfair and will give LEDCs a competitive advantage and that everyone should make cuts.

Close Reading Activity Close read “What did the Copenhagen climate summit achieve?” from BBC News. (8 min) In elbow partners discuss the questions (3 minutes): What was the most important thing Copenhagen changed about how we combat climate change? What is the most important thing Copenhagen did not change about how we combat climate change?

Essential Questions Revisited Use evidence from Kyoto and Copenhagen to discuss these questions with elbow partners. (4 minutes) How successful have we been at the global level to combat climate change? What stands in the way of having greater commitment at the global scale?