Global Warming; Responsability of the World OR the Industrialized World?

Global warming is a problem that the entire world faces. It doesn’t just affect those who emitted greenhouse gases – like carbon dioxide – into the atmosphere; it changes the world’s climate for everyone.

In Africa, the consequences of global warming have been detrimental. They are facing problems ranging from desertification and the loss of wildlife to flooding and increased thickets threatening livestock. And African nations account for only a small part of the emissions. In the US, we are upset about the devastating effects of hurricane Katrina; a mess that will probably be cleaned up within a couple of years. It could take decades for Africa to recover from the natural disasters caused by global warming.

African nations need the industrialized nations of the world to take responsibility for the pollution that they are causing. They need the industrialized world to sign the Kyoto Protocol and clean up. After all, these countries bare most of the blame for global warming in the first place.

So, why doesn’t the US sign the Kyoto Protocol, where the objective is the "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system"? Isn’t Africa facing enough problems without having to deal with suffering from the mistakes of the industrialized world? Granted, the US and other industrialized countries can’t control the temperature or the natural climate of Africa. But there are other ways to help them overcome the natural disasters caused by global warming. Industrialized countries can finance early warning systems and create disaster management plans to help Africa deal with these natural disasters. They can also help find new water sources and help set up a new agricultural system.

By financing Africa’s recovery and preparation for natural disasters, the industrialized countries of the world would be paying for at least some of the damage that they have caused. Is this the best way for polluters to make amends? What other options are there? Should the US sign the Kyoto Protocol? Will the Kyoto Protocol produce optimal amounts of greenhouse gases?