The Kyoto Protocol was once described as the best thing to happen to the fight against climate change. It was formed to reduce the negative effects of climate change from countries including Canada, USA and Japan, amongst others. The idea was to reduce gas emissions that are destroying the ecosystem.
Thus after several negotiations, the Kyoto protocol came into effect on the 16th of February 2005 in Canada, having been passed by congress. This was a binding legal agreement that would reduce gas emissions into the ecosystem, as well as putting the fight against climate change on the right track.
The Kyoto Protocol focused on a number of areas related to climate change, including:
• The lack of gas emissions would improve public health because the air would be less polluted.
• The ecosystem would also benefit from the clear air.
• Improved public health would mean low cost of healthcare.
• New jobs would be created.
The government of Canada believed in the fight against climate change and was keen on accomplishing its part for the Kyoto Protocol. Plans were put in place to ensure gas emissions were considerably reduced in all industries, which were to join the fight against climate change. Another idea from Canada was for fuel efficiency to be improved especially in motor vehicles, which would reduce gas emissions. Finally, factories would receive incentives from the government. There was a major flaw in these plans though when the government failed to win the election in Canada.
A few years later, the new government of Canada is pulling away from the fight against climate change. Regardless of the benefits from less gas emissions and an improved ecosystem, Canada has pointed to loss of jobs and the inability of the Kyoto Protocol to work, given non-participation from other nations, as their main reasons for pulling out. There may be controversy, but one thing that is definite: this has been a major blow to the fight against climate change.