Post-Kyoto Reflections.
In this long essay (12 pages), C.R. (Buzz) Nixon provided a detailed explanation of what happened at the third Conference of the Parties (COP3) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), which took place in December 1997.
1997 Series 1 Number 24 Page 9
[Buzz was once the head of the Cabinet Briefing Office and the Deputy Minister of National Defence (1975-1983). He was an engineer, systems analyst, policy analyst, and long-time member of CACOR. Ed.]
[COP3 resulted in the Kyoto Protocol. See < Kyoto Protocol – Wikipedia >. Ed.]
Two and a half decades later, in 2024, with the Kyoto Protocol expired—having failed (some would say miserably)—humanity continues to struggle with facing the challenge of stopping the climate change that is resulting from its economic activities.
Indeed, some still believe climate change is not our fault or may even be beneficial. Others insist we cannot act decisively in the near-term to change our course.
Among those who accept that climate change is happening and that we are responsible—a group that may soon become the majority—it remains to be seen whether the will can be developed to bring about sufficient changes in our behaviours and technologies to avoid catastrophic consequences.
In December 1997, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, USA, was at 364.0 parts per million (ppm). In April 2024, the concentration was 426.6, which is up 17%.
Meanwhile, the global average temperature increase since pre-industrial times has reached 1.5 ⁰C, a level the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has deemed important to addressing the threat of climate change, achieving sustainable development, and eradicating poverty.
Link to | Post-Kyoto Reflections.
Link to | IPCC Special Report.
Link to | C.R. (Buzz) Nixon Profile.
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