2007-02-27 03:12:55 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Environment
Because complying with the Kyoto protocol is more costly for some countries than it is for others. From the purely technical standpoint, compying with Kyoto requirements means two things, (1) adopting and enforcing fuel economy standards for cars and (2) switching power generation and household heating away from burning coal to burning natural gas or, failing that, heating oil.
The U.S. opposes the Kyoto protocol, because the U.S. car manufacturers derive the bulk of their profits from fuel-inefficient SUVs; if large SUVs were banned (or heavily taxed), the U.S. auto industry would go out of business, because passenger cars it makes are mostly sold at a small loss compared to 10% operating margin earned by Honda and Toyota.
Many developing countries oppose the Kyoto protocol because they have somewhat antiquated, but generally operational, coal-burning power generation industries. Trying to switch away from coal would require substantial investment in new power plants and natural gas distribution infrastructure. In addition, many of those countries have no oil or gas of their own, so switching away from coal would make them import-dependent...
2007-02-27 03:47:35 · answer #1 · answered by NC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they have not found a way to shut down plants, without losing money, or just don't want to invest in something that already works, but most of it is money.. The US or just Bush(and the republicans just don't want to shut down their plants).. so they are resisting, but since we now are seeing signs of global warming, i think they are now thinking twice..
2007-02-27 11:38:48 · answer #2 · answered by Hummbaba 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because some countries are run by ex-cokehead lunatics and others are run by sane individuals with common sense.
2007-02-27 11:20:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
what is the kyoto protocol anyway?
2007-02-27 11:18:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋