| Clean Air. A Healthy
and Stable Planet. Sustainable Local and Global Environments.
People around the World intuitively understand that
these are the most important legacies that we can leave
for future generations.
The Kyoto Protocol is a big step in providing that brighter
future for generations to come.
Why, some may ask? The reason is very easy to understand.
Combusting
inorganic matter such as coal, petroleum (oil &
gas) and other fossil fuels releases gases, and other
noxious compounds, that have a severe effect on the
health of the planet Earth. The problems are not local.
They are global. A global problem requires a global
response.
GHG's released by burning fossil fuels are: Carbon Dioxide,
Nitrous Oxides, Methane, CFC's, HCFC's, Perflourocarbons,
Sulfur Hexaflouride, Triflouromethyl, Sulfur Pentaflouride,
Tropospheric Ozone to name the most abundant.
Some of these compounds have been shown to have a severe
effect on the Earth's natural stratospheric ozone, which
protects all life on the planet from many harmful types
of radiation. In addition, a reduction in the ozone
layer substantially increases the amount of all types
of radiation that reaches the Earth. The build up of
GHG's in the atmosphere traps heat that naturally would
be reflected into space. This additional heating affects
the natural weather cycles. These cycles cannot be restarted
once they have been shut down.
At the present time the cost to the environment due
to the combustion of fossil fuels and the harmful gases
and particulate matter, that they release into the atmosphere
is not borne (paid) by the emitter, it is paid by each
of us in rapid, negative and uncontrollable changes
in the environment, air quality and human health and
the cost will be higher for our children.
The Kyoto Protocol attempts to start to balance this
equation by setting a cost for emitting GHG's over and
above negotiated allowable limits. Those who emit more
than their allowance will pay a charge (by purchasing
GHG credits) and those who reduce emissions of GHG's
below their allowance will receive credits, which they
can sell. It provides an incentive to those who reduce
their emission of GHG's. The Kyoto Protocol caps and
then sets small incremental reduction targets for GHG's
only, over a multi-year period.
The
Montréal Protocol set allowable levels of Nitrous
Oxide (N2O) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emissions, generally
referred to as NOx and SOx in industry parlance. Smog
is the general term used to describe the visible signs
of the accumulation of NOx and SOx in the atmosphere
due to the combustion of fossil fuels. GHG's are invisible
but have the potential to cause far more harm in the
medium term. The Kyoto Protocol is a continuation and
outgrowth of the effort that resulted in the successful
implementation of the Montréal Protocol.
While the term Greenhouse Gas ("GHG") does
not refer to NOx and SOx, the combustion of fossil fuels
creates both, and currently emits both into the atmosphere.
The Kyoto Protocol has a beneficial effect on the global
environment by reducing all gases and materials that
are produced at the same time as GHG's are produced.
This will help in addressing associated health issues.
International perceptions of Canada, and other peacekeeping
and humanitarian nations that are Annex 1 Signatories
to the Kyoto Protocol, provide these countries with
a unique opportunity to take a leadership role on the
World stage in the abatement of Greenhouse Gases.
For over 40 years, Canada has led the
charge in developing 'Peacekeeping' and the World responded
to this bold and innovative initiative. Canada is now
leading a new charge called 'Greenkeeping™'. This
is occurring through both private and public initiatives
such as the GHGx, Kyoto Protocol projects and other
developments, both national and international. The issue
of the stability of the global environment is too important
to to be left to chance.
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GHGx Corporation - Greenhouse Gas Exchange
Global Emissions Trading for a Brighter Future™
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