Industrialized nations would be smart to dust off their spectacles and realize the problem of global warming is looming much closer than it might seem.
The United States and Russia, two of the world's biggest producers of greenhouse gas emissions, have rejected the accord aimed at putting an end to global warming. The Kyoto Protocol was refused by both countries on the grounds that it would hurt the nations' economies.
While economic concerns are important for countries to keep in mind, it's also important for all nations to start thinking about the future. The Kyoto Protocol might not be the magic pill to cure global-warming woes, but the accord is a step in the right direction.
A top Kremlin official announced Russia's disapproval of the accord Tuesday. Ironically, the announcement fell on the same day that the U.N. Environment Program released a report stating that global warming is threatening the world's ski resorts.
Russian officials initially suggested their country would ratify the Kyoto Protocol, but now Russia's backing out puts the fate of the global-warming initiative in grave danger. The pact requires ratification by a minimum of 55 countries and must include the approval of nations, such as Russia and the Unites States, which are responsible for 55 percent of the group's carbon dioxide emission.
Without Moscow's approval, the protocol cannot be put into effect even if approved by other nations, because only Russia's emissions are large enough to tip the scales.
But if action isn't taken soon, global warming will have bigger implications than just a few mild days in December.
The U.N. Environmental Program's report estimated that temperatures will rise between 2.5 degrees to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100 unless significant action is taken to reduce emissions. But the effects of global warming could do damage much sooner, possibly causing the closure of some of the world's ski resorts as early as 2030.
It's frightening to think that we might witness damage caused by global warming during our lifetimes.
The United States is responsible for one-fourth of the world's man-made, carbon dioxide emissions, and Russia accounts for 17.4 percent. It's only fair that these countries and other industrialized nations make greenhouse gas reduction a priority.
The United States and Russia are worried that the Kyoto Protocol would limit economic growth, as it would require industry overhauls to reduce emissions. This is definitely a worthy concern, but these countries shouldn't be so shortsighted. They should be able to balance today's economic concerns with concern for the future of our environment.
It's important for everyone to start seeing beyond immediate issues and think more broadly. Global warming used to seem like a distant problem, but now nations should realize the issue is not so far away.
Global warming is a closer threat than it seems. The Kyoto Protocol might not be the final answer for greenhouse gas emissions, but it's time for industrialized nations to at least set some standards for themselves, and be willing to stick with them.
