In Kyoto, a Try at Next Big Eco-Pact
Countries will gather Dec. 1 to try to put teeth into effort to slow climate change.
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"We're literally standing on the edge of the end of biological history, and our institutions are not prepared to cope with it," Oxford University's Sir Robert May told a meeting of biodiversity experts last month in Washington.
Why is that? Sources say primarily because scientists have yet to reach a focused, international consensus on the scale and likely impact on humanity of the rapid extinction of plant and animal species. Ozone protection and climate change both benefited from the emergence of such a clear scientific consensus that focused public concern and prompted nations to take action.
Agreements at Kyoto could reap important benefits for biodiversity while protecting the climate, according to Howard Ris, executive director of the Union of Concerned Scientists in Cambridge, Mass. Planners are discussing the possibility that developed countries could earn credits toward their treaty reductions in carbon emissions by financing the reforestation of tropical forests, which naturally store carbon.
"Setting aside forests could serve both issues if it's done right," Mr. Ris says. "In theory, you can save habitat and mitigate climate change at the same time."
Some Key International Agreements to Protect the Environment
* Whaling Convention (1946)
Formed by whaling countries to manage whale harvests. As concern for whales increased, nonwhaling states joined in the 1970s and pushed for hunting moratoriums. Its future is in question due to defection of some hunting states and the lack of cooperation by Norway.
Who's in: Ratified by 25 countries to date. The United States, Russia, Norway, and eight other countries have also signed it, but with qualifications. Nine countries, including Iceland and Canada, have denounced it.
* Antarctic Treaty (1959)
Competing territorial claims raised the possibility of an Antarctic conflict. The countries agreed to table their claims, utilize the continent for scientific purposes only, and take measures to protect its environment. It has been successful, but the continent faces new environmental pressures from tourism, fishing, and big science projects.
Who's in: Ratified by the US and 37 other countries.
* Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (1973)
A binding treaty banning or tightly regulating trade in endangered plant and animal species. CITES does not address loss of habitat, the main cause of extinction for most species.
Who's in: It has been ratified by 90 countries. The US and 23 other countries have also ratified it, but with qualifications.
* UN Law on the Sea (1982)
A 400-page treaty setting forth principles, rights, obligations, and acceptable conduct of nations in international waters, including undersea mining, conservation of marine life, ocean dumping, and scientific and commercial activities on the ocean floor.
Who's in: Ratified by 40 countries and signed by 90 others. The US has done neither due to Reagan-era objections to certain sea-floor mining provisions.
* Montreal Protocol (1987)
Aimed to reduce damage to the atmosphere's ozone layer through binding provisions that froze production of chlorofluorocarbons.
Who's in: Ratified by the US and 69 other countries. Entered into force in 1989.
* UN Convention on Environment and Development (1992)
The largest gathering of heads of state in history, the Earth Summit increased public awareness of serious environmental problems confronting mankind, including species extinctions, climate change, and deforestation.
Who's in: The agreements are not binding, and some countries have not met pledges to reduce greenhouse gases and pursue sustainable development.
