So, it looks like it’s finally going to happen! ABC News Online is carrying the following story:
Kyoto supporters jubilant as Russia backs ratification. 01/10/2004. ABC News Online
On a personal note, I think its fantastic. I just can’t understand the attitude of those who say “The agreement’s not perfect because a) it doesn’t include developing countries, or b) it doesn’t go far enough, therefore we shouldn’t ratify it”. The key thing to me would seem to be it’s a start! There are no other agreements on the international table, and given how long Kyoto has taken to get to this stage, it doesn’t seem likely we’d see a radically different agreement get approved in the next 10 years. So, lets take what we can.
I also see from the above news story that next year talks begin to set the next range of targets, and to bring China and India on board, which goes a long way to resolving some of the Kyoto criticisms.
And on a final note, I’m hoping someone can explain the Australian Liberal Party’ stance on Kyoto. Near as I can understand it, it is “We won’t ratify the protocol, but we will meet our targets under the protocol”. Soooooo, we will go to all the effort to meet our targets but won’t sign the protocol which would allow us to benefit financially? You gotta admit, its seems like a strange approach. Unless, of course, there was no intention to meet our targets in the first place! But hey, I’m sure there’s a well-reasoned argument behind it all that I’m just not seeing…
And you never know, maybe the impending ratification will encourage a “change of heart”. Here’s hoping!