When dealing with the US and climate change, we begin with the fact that the United States emits the second largest amount of greenhouse gases. The United States was the leader in greenhouse gas production until 2006 when China surpassed the US. President Bush commented on the matter saying that the US will decrease emissions by 18% in the next 10 years from the rate we were at in 2002 until 2012. He also believes that we first need to stop the problem and then go back to reverse what we have all ready done to the environment. That is an estimated 183 metric tons per million dollars of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 151 metric tons per million dollars of GDP. The US EPA says that this will be done through technological developments, improving energy efficiency, shifts to cleaner fuels and energy conservation.
The United States Federal Government policy has three main parts. These include slowing the growth of greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening science, technology and institutions, and enhancing international cooperation.
Here is what the US has done regarding climate change:
- In February 2002, a national goal was instated . (This was the 18% in ten years)
- Current and near term green house gas reduction incentives
- The Climate Change Technology Program
- The Climate Change Science Program
- International Cooperation ( IPCC, WMO, ESA)
- US CAP -> although this was formed without governmental influence or policy.
The United States Climate Action Partnership (US CAP) is a series of companies and nongovernmental coorporations, with a series of comprehensive approaches calling for mandatory action against climate change. These groups meet to form a range of effective policies.
Sites used (in links) - The US EPA, IPCC, The Pew Center on Climate Change
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6 comments:
Do you think that the United States has done enough to decrease our greenhouse gas emission levels?
What do each of these aggreements mean?
P.S. The Kyoto Protocol is another agreement dealing with other countries and Global Warming.
This is very interesting and your information was factual and well presented. Awesome job! However, I thought China was the number one producer of greenhouse emissions in the world?
Discussing the US's global warming contributions was a great way to start. However, I'm a little confused about the metric tons per GDP. Metric tons of what? Greenhouse gases? Is this what we need to reduce using the three-pronged approach the president outlined?
Betsy, you are correct, in 2006 China beat out the United Stated for the most greenhouse gas emissions. At the time of the beginning stages of the Kyoto Protocol though, the United States was the largest emitter of greenhouse gases. I suppose I should edit that post, sorry about that, and thank you for bringing my attention to the faulty phrasing!
In my opinion no, I do not think the United States is doing enough. What we say and do are two different things and the actions of the United States are speaking louder than its words. I think we (not the public but governments)say we want to do so much and form all of these committees to take action against global warming but, is the public correctly informed and taking action, not really. In my opinion I do not think that the government is doing enough and is instead saying they will do all of these things to keep those truely concerned happy. The government is just telling people what they want to here.
Other countries have implemented so many other things besides commissions for this and that, and they are actually following through with their ideas. Solar panels and wind mills are popping up, along with use of more efficient and environmentally friendly fuels. If more private companies in the United States were being supported by the government, then this would help to reduce green house gas emissions even more. A few companies doing a few things here and there will help but not produce drastic results which the world needs.
Starting out with the US and global warming was great! Do you know how much we have cut down in using fossil fuels?
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