Editors’ Introduction

When we first started working on this series in 1998 the Kyoto Protocol (Protocol) had just been signed and there was tremendous awareness as to the impact of pollution on the planet. It appeared that world leaders, working together, would be able to lead us in an era of rising living standards and diminished pollution. Sustainable development, seemingly, was a realistic goal.

The end of 2012 concluded the first phase of the Protocol. The EU agreed to reduce their pollution emissions to 92 percent of 1990’s carbon emissions and they succeeded in accomplishing that goal. Unfortunately, the United States never ratified the Protocol, and Canada, although it did agree to reduce its emissions by 94 percent of 1990’s carbon emissions, dropped out of the Protocol. Australia agreed to participate in the Protocol when it was already in effect, and created a carbon tax to facilitate the reduction in carbon emissions. Unfortunately, they recently rescinded the tax. Finally, India and China ratified the Protocol but they agreed to no reductions, and China is now the largest producer of carbon emissions in the world.