Weather and climate are extremely delicate, as is illustrated by the saying that a butterfly flapping is wings is all it takes for the weather halfway across the globe to change. In the history of human civilization, and especially since the Industrial Revolution, the magnitude of human influence on global weather has been overwhelmingly greater than that of a single butterfly. Recognizing our immense impact on climate is the first step towards preventing further disruption of the Earth's climate cycles. Next we must take this recognition and move toward actual solutions.

Developing countries are in the midst of exploring policies related to the changing climate and measures to control combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation that cause these changes. The use of non-renewable fossil fuels has been found to be the main cause of global warming and the changing climate cycles. Specific policies that address these factors may include a mandatory switch to low or no carbon fuels, elimination of subsidies on coal, or changing market regulations to enhance competition. Educational campaigns for the public, as well as higher energy prices and requirements for energy efficiency in new homes and buildings, are also important steps in addressing the problem.

Although it is imperative that developing countries implement plans to prevent as much environmental damage as possible, it is also the responsibility of industrialized nations to clean up their act, so to speak. Eleven years ago, an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was organized by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environmental Program. This group of scientists and technical experts come from varied backgrounds: academia, governments, and the private sector. Together they have presented a proposal to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from industrialized countries to a reasonable level, set at an average of 5.2% below the emissions of 1990, but varying by country. The goal is to initiate this plan, the Kyoto Protocol, in 2008 and have the reductions in place by 2012. Although an astounding eighty-four countries signed the treaty, only one has ratified it so far. The U.S. government has not signed the treaty, and it is uncertain if it will. We urge you to research this plan and encourage the government to commit to reducing our emissions. This is not required reading for the course, but please take the time to look at

http://www.kyotonow.org/

or subscribe to ratify-kyoto with majordomo@lists to learn about campus efforts to support responsible action for preserving a healthier climate.