Kyoto Protocol and Belize

            The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which commits its Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets. Kyoto Protocol also decided on,“1) emission-reduction targets of greenhouse gases for each of the member countries 2) a greenhouse gas emission-trading program 3) holding future meetings to set penalties for violators of the established targets and regulation rules of the emission-trading program” (History). The major countries that were involved in the Kyoto Protocol were Japan, and western industrialized countries. Even though the Kyoto Protocol was introduced to the world in 1992 it did not come to be international law until 2005.The Kyoto Protocol became international law in 2005 because, “The Kyoto Protocol finally came into effect on February 16, 2005, 7 years after it was first negotiated, when the goal of getting countries responsible for a total of 55% of the global emissions was achieved with the signature of Russia ratifying the document” (History). The Kyoto Protocol was scheduled to expire in 2012 but was extended past its expiration date to 2015 “which is the target for a completely new international agreement” (Globalization and Diversity 55). The book Globalization and Diversity also say, “by 2015, new emission reduction goals will be set for all the world’s countries, and these will take effect no later than 2020” (55).

            Belize is a member of the Kyoto Protocol and actually acceded to it in 2003, and then became a party on the date that it became effective, (February 16, 2005). However, “As a developing country Belize is not required to reduce its carbon emissions, which are negligible. But it can supply and/or trade carbon credits under the CDM of the Protocol” (Grand Baymen). The reason Belize acceded to the Kyoto Protocol is because, “ Scientists have observed the substantial melting of the polar glaciers.  They are predicting a rise in sea level of 1.65 meters over the next 50 years, if carbon emissions are not significantly reduced” (Grand Baymen). Meaning that Belize is afraid that if the sea level does rise it will be devastating to their country. It would have a huge impact on Belize’s Great Barrier Reef, maybe even an catastrophic effect. A rise in the sea level could also negatively impact the farmland in Belize and the fishing industry.

             To learn more about the Kyoto Protocol go to this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXdmqXG3ITU. It provides a short video description of the reasons for the Kyoto Protocol, and why it is effective.

Works Cited:

Rowntree, Lester, Martin Lewis, Marie Price, and William Wyckoff.Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. Print.

"The Kyoto Protocol :: History." The Kyoto Protocol :: History. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2014.

Espinoza, Valeria. "Belize Seeking Green Energy Investments." Grand Baymen. N.p., 3 Sept. 2011. Web