With the Kyoto Protocol expiring next year, delegates from around the world have been hard-pressed to negotiate a revised treaty to regulate global warming emissions. However, Japan has announced that they're pulling out of discussions.
Cooperation is crucial to convincing the largest carbon-producing nations, the United States and China, who are already resisting, to join a new treaty. Unlike Kyoto, this new deal aims to have more teeth. It would bind all carbon-producing nations to cut emissions, but it can't work unless all nations comply.
Deadlock has been a recurring theme for as long as the UN has met to discuss solutions to combat climate change, and the lack of action is threatening serious consequences for our planet.
Tell Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko to get on board with a new climate change treaty and put the well-being of our citizens before state self-interest.
Dear Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda,
We the undersigned are writing to express our urgent concern with Japan's decision to not renew the Kyoto Protocol in 2012. The Kyoto Protocol is the global community's best chance at reducing harmful carbon emissions into the atmosphere which have serious effects on agriculture, health, ecosystems, and livelihoods.
[Your comments will be added here]
The cooperation of Japan and other developed nations is crucial to convincing the largest carbon-producing nations, the United States and China to take initative in entering into such an agreement. In addition, unlike the original Kyoto Protocol in 1997, the new treaty aims to have more teeth. It would bind all carbon-producing nations to cut emissions, but can only be effective all nations comply. Every nation that signs/renews the Kyoto Protocol counts towards significantly reducing global problems such as global warming and climate change.
Deadlock has been a recurring theme for as long as the UN has met to discuss solutions to combat climate change, and the lack of action is threatening serious consequences for our planet.
We urge you to sign on to climate change treaty and put the well-being of our citizens before state self-interest.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
