the ongoing decrease in the pH of ocean water caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide (CO₂)
from the atmosphere.
pH in the ocean measures how acidic or basic the seawater is, on a scale from 0 (very acidic) to
14 (very basic), with 7 being neutral.
The natural average ocean pH is about 8.1, which is slightly basic.
Due to ocean acidification, this pH has dropped by about 0.1 units since the Industrial
Revolution—this might sound small, but it's actually a 30% increase in acidity.
he Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty adopted in December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, and came
into force on February 16, 20051. It was established under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the primary aim of reducing greenhouse gas
emissions to combat global warming2.
Key Objectives and Provisions
The Kyoto Protocol aimed to reduce the emissions of six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2),
methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and
sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)1. The treaty set binding emission reduction targets for 41 industrialized
countries and the European Union, aiming to lower emissions to 5.2% below 1990 levels during the
commitment period of 2008-20123.
Mechanisms for Achieving Targets
To help countries meet their targets, the Kyoto Protocol introduced several mechanisms:
1. Emissions Trading: Allowed countries to buy and sell emission allowances.
2. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): Enabled developed countries to invest in emission
reduction projects in developing countries and earn credits.
3. Joint Implementation (JI): Allowed countries to earn emission reduction units from projects in
other developed countries2.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite its ambitious goals, the Kyoto Protocol faced several challenges:
Non-Participation of Major Emitters: The United States did not ratify the treaty, and China, the
world's largest emitter, was not bound by its targets1.
Modest Targets: Critics argued that the emission reduction targets were too modest to make a
significant impact on global temperatures1.
Economic Impact: Some countries, like Canada, withdrew from the protocol due to concerns
about the economic impact of meeting the targets2.
Extension and Replacement
The Kyoto Protocol was extended until 2020 through the Doha Amendment, which set new targets
for the second commitment period3. However, the treaty was eventually replaced by the Paris
Agreement in 2015, which aimed for a more inclusive and flexible approach to combating climate
change1.
Net Metering
What it is: A system where you can sell excess electricity you produce (like from solar
panels) back to the grid.
How it works:
o If your solar panels make more power than you use, the extra power goes to the
utility company.
o Your electric bill goes down because they deduct what you sent from what you
used.
Example: If your home uses 100 kWh but your solar panels generate 120 kWh, the extra
20 kWh goes to the grid and gets credited to you.
✅ Benefit: Helps you save money and encourages households to install solar panels.
⚡ Feed-in Tariff (FiT) System
What it is: A government policy that guarantees payment to producers of renewable
energy (like solar, wind, biomass).
How it works:
o If you build a renewable energy plant, the government buys the electricity you
generate at a fixed price for a certain number of years.
o The price is usually higher than market rate to make clean energy more
profitable.
Example: A small wind farm is paid a set rate (e.g., ₱8/kWh) for 20 years for the
electricity it supplies to the grid.
✅ Benefit: Encourages businesses to invest in renewable energy by giving them a stable income.
🔑 In short:
Net Metering = Save money by offsetting your electric bill with your own solar power.
Feed-in Tariff = Earn money by selling renewable energy to the grid at a guaranteed
price.
The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, was the first major international treaty aimed at reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. It imposed legally binding emission reduction targets on developed
countries (Annex I countries), based on the principle of "common but differentiated
responsibilities." This principle acknowledged that developed nations had historically
contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions and thus should take the lead in mitigation
efforts.NPRClimate Policy Practice+4Wikipedia+4PBS: Public Broadcasting Service+4 Climate
Policy Practice
However, the Kyoto Protocol faced several criticisms and
challenges:NPR+5Brookings+5Brookings+5
1. Exclusion of Major Emitters: Developing countries, including major emerging
economies like China and India, were not subject to binding emission reduction targets.
At the time, this was justified by their lower historical emissions and developmental
needs. However, as these countries' economies grew, so did their emissions. China, for
instance, became the world's largest emitter, yet remained without binding targets under
Kyoto. This disparity led to concerns about the protocol's effectiveness, as significant
portions of global emissions were unregulated. Climate Policy PracticeNPR+1Climate
Policy Practice+1
2. U.S. Non-Ratification: The United States signed the Kyoto Protocol but never ratified it.
The U.S. government cited concerns that the treaty would harm the U.S. economy and
that it was unfair because it did not impose emission limits on developing countries like
China. Climate Policy Practice+1Wikipedia+1
3. Limited Impact on Emissions: Despite its intentions, the Kyoto Protocol had a limited
effect on global emissions. Some countries met their targets, but overall, emissions
continued to rise, partly due to the lack of participation from major emitters and the
absence of binding commitments for developing nations. WIRED
These challenges highlighted the need for a more inclusive and flexible approach to global
climate action, leading to the development of the Paris Agreement in 2015.
The Paris Agreement marked a significant shift in international climate policy:
Universal Participation: Unlike Kyoto, the Paris Agreement requires all countries,
developed and developing alike, to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs)
outlining their plans to reduce emissions.
Flexibility and National Circumstances: The agreement allows countries to set their
own targets based on their specific national circumstances, promoting broader
participation and ownership.
Regular Updates and Transparency: Countries are expected to update their NDCs
every five years, with each update representing a progression beyond previous targets. A
transparency framework was also established to track progress.
In summary, while the Kyoto Protocol was a pioneering effort in international climate policy, its
limitations—particularly the exclusion of major developing emitters like China and the non-
participation of the U.S.—hindered its effectiveness. The Paris Agreement sought to address
these issues by fostering a more inclusive, flexible, and dynamic framework for global climate
action.Climate Policy Prac
