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Kyoto Protocol

Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an amendment to the international treaty on climate change, assigning mandatory emission limitations for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the signatory nations. The objective of the protocol is the "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system." As of December 2006, a total of 169 countries and other governmental entities have ratified the agreement (representing over 61.6% of emissions from Annex I countries). Notable exceptions include the United States and Australia. Other countries, like India and China, which have ratified the protocol, are not required to reduce carbon emissions under the present agreement. There is some debate about the usefulness of the protocol, and there have been some cost-benefit studies performed.

Joseph Biden on Kyoto Protocol More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports
Description:	"The United States has an inescapable responsibility to lead on global environmental challenges. It's wrong to simply walk away from this international agreement." - Joe Biden
Citations:

1.	Biden Calls on Bush to Reconsider His Stance on Global Warming (8/8/07) Biden criticizes Bush for dismissing the Kyoto protocol.

Michael Bloomberg on Kyoto Protocol More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Kyoto Protocol.
Description:	Mayor Bloomberg has pledged to bring New York City into agreement with the Kyoto Protocol. Mayor Bloomberg has not stated whether he believes the United States as a whole should follow the Kyoto Protocol.
Citations:

1.	Cities Take Lead On Environment As Debate Drags At Federal Level (7/23/07) Mayor Michael Bloomberg has agreed to have New York City meet the Kyoto Standards.

John Cox on Kyoto Protocol More on this candidate

Stance:	Opposes
Description:	I oppose the Kyoto Treaty, which would devastate the U.S. economy. - John Cox
Citations:

1.	Energy and The Environment (9/9/07) I oppose the Kyoto Treaty, which would devastate the U.S. economy. Fiscal responsibility and respect for property rights is key to environmental protection. Polluters should bear economic penalties.

Christopher Dodd on Kyoto Protocol More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Kyoto Protocol
Description:	Dodd stated, "There is no reason why the United States should be falling behind countries such as Germany, Brazil and Japan when it comes to renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar and biofuels. If other countries can do it, America can do it better.That is why, for all its flaws, it was a disgrace that this Administration abandoned the Kyoto Protocol; that they picked up their chair and went home. In a Dodd Administration, America will lead the world in reversing the effects of global climate change, convening an International Global Warming Summit."
Citations:

1.	THE NEW AMERICAN PROSPERITY: INNOVATION AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY (8/8/07) REMARKS (as delivered) OF SENATOR CHRISTOPHER J. DODD AT THE CENTER FOR NATIONAL POLICY IN WASHINGTON DC ON THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2007

Newt Gingrich on Kyoto Protocol More on this candidate

Stance:	Opposes Kyoto Protocol
Description:	Newt Gingrich has said "The Kyoto protocol is a bad treaty for America and for the environment, requiring massive investment by the United States and comparatively little by other countries."
Citations:

1.	Interviews: Newt Gingrich (7/23/07) "I was strongly opposed to Kyoto treaty the way it was written; I think it was written by the Europeans as an anti-American document. I also think it doesn't get the job done because it excludes China and India. But I felt that was a lost opportunity to talk about: How do you design a pro-science and pro-technology strategy that lowers the amount of damage the human race does to the planet?"
2.	Interviews: Newt Gingrich (7/23/07) "I was strongly opposed to Kyoto treaty the way it was written; I think it was written by the Europeans as an anti-American document. I also think it doesn't get the job done because it excludes China and India. But I felt that was a lost opportunity to talk about: How do you design a pro-science and pro-technology strategy that lowers the amount of damage the human race does to the planet?"
3.	Energy and the Environment (7/23/07) "The Kyoto protocol is a bad treaty for America and for the environment, requiring massive investment by the United States and comparatively little by other countries."

Al Gore on Kyoto Protocol More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Kyoto Agreement
Description:	Al Gore supports the Kyoto Agreement. He even helped to create the agreement as Vice-President.
Citations:

Clinton Hails Global Warming Pact (10/7/07)
"The United States delegation, at the direction of Vice President [Al] Gore, and with the skilled leadership of Undersecretary Stuart Eizenstat, showed the way. The momentum generated by Vice President Gore's visit helped move the negotiation to a successful conclusion and I thank him." - Clinton

Mike Gravel on Kyoto Protocol More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Kyoto Protocol
Description:	"The U.S. should immediately sign the Kyoto protocol and seek its ratification by the Senate. This would be the beginning of our diplomatic efforts to work with China and India and all developing countries to address the pollution problems attendant to economic growth." - Mike Gravel
Citations:

Energy and Environment (8/8/07)
"The U.S. should immediately sign the Kyoto protocol and seek its ratification by the Senate. This would be the beginning of our diplomatic efforts to work with China and India and all developing countries to address the pollution problems attendant to economic growth."

Chuck Hagel on Kyoto Protocol More on this candidate

Stance:	Opposes Kyoto Protocol
Description:	"One thing we should not do is jump into a treaty that would place the United Nations in charge of U.S. energy policy and devastate our economy. That is what the Kyoto Protocol would do. This is a treaty negotiated by an Administration in the face of clear Congressional intent. . . .The Administration's own Energy Information Agency has estimated that implementing the Kyoto Protocol would give us an increase in gasoline prices of over 70 cents per gallon. But unlike current price fluctuations, the Kyoto fuel price increases would be permanent and would continue to grow. High energy prices don't just effect American consumers. They would drive many American agricultural producers, manufacturing and transportation companies right out of business or out of the country. Independent economic studies placed the job losses caused by the Kyoto Protocol in the millions. And for what? The Kyoto Protocol has no hope of achieving its stated goal. How can it reduce global greenhouse gas emissions when it excludes more than 130 nations? Nations such as China, India, Mexico, South Korea---all of whom are already among the world's largest producers of man-made greenhouse gases." - Chuck Hagel
Citations:

1.	Moving Beyond Kyoto: A Responsible Approach to Climate Change (8/8/07) Speech to the James A. Baker Institute of Public Policy at Rice University by U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel on September 7, 2000

Dennis Kucinich on Kyoto Protocol More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports Kyoto Protocol
Description:	Dennis Kucinich supports the Kyoto Protocol.
Citations:

1.	Kucinich on the Issues (7/23/07) "The U.S. must toughen environmental enforcement; support the Kyoto Treaty on global climate change; reduce oil dependence; and spur investment in alternative energy sources, including hydrogen, solar, wind, and ocean."

Bill Richardson on Kyoto Protocol More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports
Description:	"George Bush might not want the United States to follow the Kyoto Treaty, but that hasn't kept New Mexico from being on track to exceed Kyoto in the coming years." - Bill Richardson
Citations:

About Bill (8/8/07)
"George Bush might not want the United States to follow the Kyoto Treaty, but that hasn't kept New Mexico from being on track to exceed Kyoto in the coming years."

Bill Richardson: Climate Change #1 issue for young voters (11/15/07)
"This planet is revolting against the use of fossil fuels and against manmade pollution. And we have to fight global climate change. And we have to have an international effort to do it. And it means mandating the reduction of carbons and caps and emissions and the pollution that comes from fossil fuels and vehicles. It has to happen. ... The first thing a president does on the global climate change is say we are going to follow the Kyoto Treaty, but we are going to exceed the limits because we've lost six years." - Richardson

Mitt Romney on Kyoto Protocol More on this candidate

Stance:	Opposes
Description:	Romney wants to make sure other developing nations are part of any effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and feels that the Senate and the President was right to oppose the Kyoto Protocol.
Citations:

1.	Romney answers Kyoto Protocol question (8/14/07) Governor Romney answers Kyoto Protocol question: NO!

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Kyoto Protocol

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