Kyoto

America has been seen a, if not the only, leader of the world for a long time now. We have set the standards for many changes in the world. We have directed the treaties that have had an impact on the globalization of earth. Most notably are the UN and NATO. Why then, should we be lagging behind in the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG)? There are many ways to look at the reasons of not ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. Whether or not President elect Barrack Obama should set this treaty towards ratification is something that many people are debating. This is ultimately not up to him though, it is up to the bipartisan Senate. The motives behind Democrats and Republicans will be different, but hopefully it will come down to what is best not what special interests desire.



George Washington delivered one of the only fairwell addresses that we care about. He said that America should stand clear of permanent foriegn alliances. A global treaty that could possibly cause negative effects for the American economy is one of these undesirable alliances. This is, however, in direct opposition to the United Nations which America basicly created. We have already entered in permanent alliances that we believed would benefit us along with the world.



America has always prided itself on the fact that we are the inovators of the world. We have an image that we are supposed to be the protectors of the less fortunate. This is the main reason that so many people believe we should be in Darfur. Genocide in one country is seen as an immediate problem that should have the attention of America. Global warming is one of these immediate issues as well. The economy may lag behind for a time but in the long run, there will be greater benefits. Signing the Kyoto Protocol doesn't have to be the way that America steps up and leads the country in acting against global warming but there is definitely a global need for action. The newly elected president should find a program that he believes will put America on top when it comes to preventing the rise of GHG. He should look past partisan politics and do what the world really needs. If that need is a global treaty to better the earth so be it.