Environmental Economics - Assignment Example

ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS RESEARCH PAPER Questions What is Kyoto Protocol? The Kyoto Protocol is legal agreement that obliges all the industrialized nations to initiate collective measures for reducing the emission of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to the year 1990. What is the purpose of Kyoto Protocol? The basic purpose behind the formulation of such a protocol is to lower the overall emission of greenhouse gases from 6 basic sources, namely, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride, HFCs and PFCs. What is the history of Kyoto Protocol? The issues concerning Global environment were first addressed actively by the Governments, in the year 1992 in a convention held in Stockholm at the U.N. Conference on Human Environment. Twenty years later, in the year 1992, at a conference held in Rio de Janeiro a broader issue concerning the relationship between growing environmental trends and the subsequent development at the national and international levels were probed, giving rise to the Kyoto Protocol, whereby all the developing and industrialized countries pledged to take concrete steps towards curbing the rising threats to the environment on account of emission of poisonous gases. When did the Kyoto Protocol come into effect? The Kyoto Protocol was finally developed and implemented on February 16th, 2005 with the goal of globally reducing the emission of poisonous gases as a result of industrialization and national and international growth. Why Kyoto Protocol (which embodies international co-operation) is needed? The Kyoto Protocol is extremely essential, mainly because it focuses on the overall reduction of the emission of poisonous gases which is adversely affecting our natural environment. It is, thus, of utmost importance for all the industrialized nations to take concrete steps in this direction and save the environment around us. A country alone, cannot do so all by itself, thus co-operation from its counterparts is of utmost significance, as it is the collective effort on the part of all the nations involved that the desired results could be achieved. What is Canada’s environmental policy? Canada’s Environmental policy revolves around preserving and enhancing the quality of its natural environment, conserving the renewable resources which include protecting and preserving its water resources. Who is David Suzuki? David Takayoshi Suzuki is an environmentalist and has long been associated with activities involving conserving and preservation of the natural environment by taking suitable steps in that direction. He actively advocates the cause of a clean green and sustainable global environment. Why is David Suzuki critical of Canada’s environmental policy? Suzuki is of the opinion that Canada’s politicians and others at the helm of affairs are not taking adequate measures to curb the growing rate of emission of poisonous gases which is providing a threat to the natural environment, by ignoring and undermining the potential of science and technology. He is even suggested that some of the leaders of the country should be branded as outlaws globally, as they are ignoring the significance of protecting and conserving the environment by denying the phenomenon called -climate change What is the Green Party and when was it formed? The Green Party, as is apparent from the name itself, is a political party founded in the year 1983 and works exclusively for causes concerning the environment. The party vehemently advocates the significance of a clean and green Canada and is a pioneer in the field of green politics since a long time now. What is the view of Green Party? The Green Party’s views on Global environmental policy, revolves around 6 fundamental principles, which include, Ecological wisdom, Social Justice, Participatory Democracy, Non-Violence, Sustainability and Respect for Diversity. What is the history of Governmental spending on environment in Canada? Do you agree with the cost/benefit study of Canada’s participation in the Kyoto Protocol? Yes. The study indicates the rising levels of the poisonous gases and the substantial rate at which they have been curbed which is purely an impact of the country’s participation in the Kyoto Protocol. The policies laid down in the protocol and the subsequent strict measures taken by the country have together led to a substantial reduction in curbing such harmful emissions although statistics suggest that the desired level of efficiency to be achieved is still out of reach. Why USA should or should not join the Protocol? USA should participate in the Kyoto Protocol, because of the sheer size of the country and the number of wheels on road that leads to emission of innumerable harmful gases on which the Kyoto Protocol is based. Besides, 20 to 25% of the world’s emission of carbon dioxide is on account of USA alone which is a grave concern for the environmentalists across the globe. Although some of the leaders of the country, (George Bush, 2001), strongly opposed the Kyoto Protocol. What is the history of government environment spending in USA, in Canada and in other countries? Is Kyoto Protocol too soft or too harsh on China and India? The Kyoto Protocol is neither too harsh nor too soft on the developing countries especially India and China as compared to their counterparts, because in spite of the fact that these countries are largely populated, their contribution to the emission of poisonous gases is very insignificant, amounting to about 4% to 5% as compared to other developed countries with less population such as US and Europe. What is Europe’s stand on Kyoto Protocol? The European Commission is strongly in favor of the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol as is evident from the stand taken by its President, Romano Prodi, who even suggested that rejecting its acceptance by developed countries such as the US would lead to tragic effects on the environment. His comments in the International Herald Tribune, suggest his firm views on the matter, where he clarifies that it is on account of such developed nations that has given rise to environmental issues in the first place and hence it is only fair that these nations take an initiative in preserving and enhancing the global environment. What can we do beyond Kyoto Protocol? Besides the Kyoto Protocol which mainly concentrates on the emission of poisonous gases and its overall impact on the environment, it would be much helpful if the other significant causes which leads to deterioration of the global environment and causes leading to global warming are taken into consideration. Collective efforts in that direction as well would help in curbing the steady deterioration of the environment around us and help in stabilizing the situation to a considerable extent. What is emission permit system? An emission permit system is a system whereby a governing body, usually the government of a particular country, lays down laws restricting the emissions of poisonous gases. These laws are particularly laid down with an intention to set the limits or a cap on the emissions so as to reduce environmental damage to a considerable extent. Is emission permit system workable to adhere to Kyoto Protocol? Yes. The system would prove to be effective if implemented in tandem with the Kyoto Protocol as both strive towards the achievement of a same goal, i.e., reducing the emission of poisonous gases. How serious is the water pollution, air pollution, smog, etc in Ontario? Almost 82% of the country’s population depends on the country’s natural water resources, which are fast degrading owing to the increasing industrialization and negligence in conserving them. Also, according to the 2008 Heart and Stoke Foundation Report Card on Canada’s Health, air pollution is posing a serious threat to the heart health of Canadians, whereby air pollution is estimated to have caused approximately 6000 deaths in under a year. Smog is one of the most persistent reasons for the deteriorating air quality in Ontario. According to the Ontario Medical Association, the damaging effects of smog could lead to as much as 5800 premature deaths in Ontario. The alarming rate of increase in the number of such deaths is attributed to the appalling environmental conditions and resistance towards concrete steps in that direction. Should we impose carbon tax? Imposing a carbon tax sounds like a good idea, as it holds great potential in significantly reducing the adverse impact of greenhouse gas emissions. In fact the European Union has already expressed the desire to impose a carbon tax on goods imported from developing countries which has low or almost nil emission curbs under the Kyoto Protocol, which would help in a significant reduction in the emission of such harmful gases across the globe. REFERENCES www.kyotoprotocol.com http://www.greenparty.ca/en/about_us/who_we_are http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/051214/d051214c.htm http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/globatmos/alltables.htm http://www.heartandstroke.on.ca/site/c.pvI3IeNWJwE/b.4154961/k.EB22/2008_Report_Card__Air_Pollution.htm http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20080515&filename=news&sec_id=4&sid=11 Read More