Britain has nearly reached Kyoto Greenhouse gas reductions, but what can we do about China and the USA?

Question

Countries like Britain, Germany, France & Australia (even though they're NOT a signatory) are leading the world in reaching reduction targets for harmful greenhouse gases and other pollutants, but China, and the USA are increasing so rapidly that Europe's efforts will not make a difference. What can we do to force them to be more responsible?

Helmut, we have cleaned up our own backyard. Our problem is that the sh*t your countrie produces cancels our good efforts, and it does affect us. So if your not willing to do anything about it, we have to come up with ways to force you.
As for "eco-alarmists" as you say, Global Warming is now ir-refutable and all the scientists, including the ones who were sceptics are now agreeing with it.

Answer 1

Obviously China and the United States are too stubborn to be 'forced' into doing anything. A good question would be how can we 'convince' them to be more responsible?

Unfortunately the two countries of which you speak are super powers who literally thrive on fossil fuels. Switching over is no easy task however it can be done.

Here in the United States we are slowly working our way toward reduction targets as compared to others. We have the technology, we have the money however for financial profit reasons we refuse to push harder toward this imperative goal.

Many of us are hoping leadership will change hands in turn bringing a wiser and more proactive stance into the Whitehouse concerning this issue. The powers that be are currently more concerned about their pocket books. A Change is coming soon.

China on the other hand is overwhelmed with a population out of control and an obsolete style of government based on power, control and over inflated ego.

In my opinion communism and the issue of greenhouse gas reduction are like oil and water. They don't mix. Unless it somehow benefits them financially(again like the united states) there is little concern... Hopefully we will see a change in the sadistic greed that permeates both of these Governments. This in turn would be the first step toward serious greenhouse gas reduction

Answer 2

Currency exchange does not mean anything, Japan is worlds second largest economy and its exchange rate is really bad. UK knows that its future doesn't depend on manufacturing, their car companies are all sold out, they don't have any heavy manufacturing anymore, they are far behind most of the developing countries that can manufacture same items much cheaper. Their economy is balanced currently because of the slow population growth, over all by 2025 most the large economies like UK would crumble because they will have very little exports. Only export they would have are intellectual property, this is what will keep a dying economy of UK up lifted for sometime. This is nothing new, change happens but how you take the change and mold it to your favor is something else, this is why the whole hype of global warming is created so economic system and energy generation systems could be changed, where new systems will be installed and sold to developing countries. Its something they can't help but they and even US will go with the flow because they just can't keep up anymore.

Answer 3

Congratulations UK on your accomplishment. I can't speak up for China but as a US citizen I can tell you in all honesty that there isn't a thing you can do to force us to be responsible for our share of the worlds greenhouse gasses. You can only hope that we as American citizens will be much more responsible in our voting in the next two elections and select legistators and a president that will actually care about the world and it's people and it's future. But unfortunately, this is something we have to do for ourselves (God help us). The only suggestion I can make for you, the people of Britain, is to keep demonstrating to us your displeasure with the decisions our leaders make. When we see on our evening newscasts that our closest and most trusted ally is displeased with the decisions made by our leadership we take notice. We've already lost a lot of goodwill with other countries around the world and can't afford to lose even more from our loyal friends.
Also you might pray for us if you are so inclined.

Answer 4

Unfortunately neither country is all that interested in it. As an American living in China I see both. The US still wants their wasteful SUVs, even as they complain about gas prices. And many, many Chinese all their lives have seen cars in movies and on TV and never dreamed they might have a chance to get them - so now that they can they must. While poorer people make due with 90s technology Japanese copies, those with money import the biggest, baddest, wastingest thing they can find on the market.

In China it is compounded by a conscious decision by the government to use the auto industry as an engine of economic growth, so they still encourage people to buy cars (outside of a few cities like Shanghai, where they do limit it).

I blame the US more. Any efforts to limit China can justifiably be rejected as hypocritical as long as the US flouts not only the specific accord, which is questionable in some ways, but any meaningful attempt to limit it. The country that brings you "intelligent design" and denied the existance of global warming for so long, now only denies that man makes any significant contribution to the "natural global climate cycles".

I'm afraid there isn't much Europe or anyone can do. Just be set to laugh in a few years when US gas prices rise to your level, and you have the mass transit and we don't.

ps and root for the Democrats this year and in 08. I can't see it making much difference, but they can't be any worse.

Answer 5

I think USA is not ratified the Kyoto protocol. There alrge attemptes made by British under the leadership of the Lady, Queen of England and has reduced 12% of emmission, but UK is not reached the target and the time frame is also left behind to meet the kyoto commitments. China poor quality people, they wont take immediate decission because they aunderestmate the threat.

Answer 6

USA produces 25% of the world greenhouse gases.
why would a country that thinks its a world leader continue to affect the world in a negative manner?

Basically they don't give a sh.it and would rather concentrate on their military presence in other countries or increasing the national debt of third world nations.

money is the reason - profit will not be a big if they clean up their act

Answer 7

the only thing you can do is continue hlping the environment and reduce your greenhouse effects. because less developped countries look up to developped countries, they will do the same. states in the us are starting to follow kyoto treaty and i think every state will follow. for china, its gonna take longer cuz they are starting to accept the outside world more but they have so many people that the pollution is overwhelming. they will start reducing greenhouse effects though.

Answer 8

Where you cannot persuade you would coerce, eh? I find the conceit of eco-alarmists to be appalling. The answer to your first question is prove (don't just assert) that there is a link between human industrial activity and average global temperature, and secondly, that some benefit to be derived from abandoning the technological advances that have cleaned up the atmosphere over the Northern cities of the world. I am to young to remember it, but my father told me of the pall of black smoke that used to hover over all cities in northern latitudes in the winter.

The answer to your second question is much shorter: Nothing. When you think you have to force someone to comply with your ideas it is time to step back and take a good look at your ideas. Clean up your own back yard

Answer 9

plant more trees, cut back on how long you have a shower and most of all, appreciate nature=]