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Global warming is the favorite doomsday warning propagated by all environmentalists, me included. A small step, nevertheless a beginning in form of an international treaty popularly known as Kyoto Protocol, is coming into effect today (Wednesday, February 16th).
Kyoto commits participating industrialized countries to cut their emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) between 2008 to 2012 to levels that are 5.2% below 1990 emissions. Each participating country agreed to its own specific target. EU countries are expected to cut emissions by 8% and Japan by 5%. Some countries with low emissions are actually permitted to increase them. [source: WorldChanging]
The United States, of course, as you might have heard has stoically kept away, causing most to ponder if the protocol might do any good at all. In a famed comparison, it is professed that if every nation consumed as much as United States does, then we might need three Earths. Although exaggerated and economically impossible, it reflects the dominant role of United States in terms of global resources consumption. But the glimmer of hope lies in the fact that some companies residing and operating in the United States are choosing to meet or even exceed Kyoto’s targets.
Remedial environmental changes are going to be slow but effective.
by Patrix | on Wednesday, February 16th, 2005 at 8:00 am | 
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February 16th, 2005 at 10:01 am reply
you only have to visit china and india and see the smoky sky - get choked up with the pollution to understand the severity of the situation. it is sad. living in america we think we are immune……..but we are so wrong.
February 16th, 2005 at 10:25 am reply
M - The downside to rapid industrialization is the blatant neglect to environmental standards. Environment concerns are squashed by citing the case of collateral damage for progress.
February 16th, 2005 at 1:54 pm reply
Hunh. People seem to forget that the air and the environment know no borders. The air we breathe here in the Georgia has been poisoned by factories in Spain and the air they breathe in Sri Lanka has been poisoned by industries in California.
I think by now, all of us do know how important conservation is and how the environment is our collective responsibility. But this realisation has yet to be translated concretely in terms of policies and regulations. Its pissing off that politics and economics are still playing such a large role in determining how we handle our environmental problems.
February 16th, 2005 at 6:04 pm reply
Ash - Someone is surely thinking of good examples of negative externalities :) But you are right, air is indeed a common public good, which we cannot afford to pollute and cooperation to keep it clean is paramount. But Kyoto has been a practical failure since most of the biggies have kept away. Lets hope that changes before it is too late.