Energy supply – Reduce or eliminate government fossil fuel
subsidies.
– Introduce a “carbon tax” on nonrenewable
energy sources.Government – Support treaties and protocols that require
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.Industry – Introduce federal tariffs on all imported
products that do not meet energy-standard
guidelines.
– Institute sliding scale penalties based on
carbon emissions.Transport – Increase vehicle miles per gallon regulations
for both private cars and trucks with
government penalties for miles driven using
nonrenewable fuels.
– Increase subsidies for public transportation.
– Tax each parking space.Waste management – Require methane capture at all landfills.PROTOCOLS AND AGREEMENTS
KYOTO PROTOCOL: The Kyoto Protocol is a plan created by the United
Nations that tries to reduce the effects of climate change (i.e., global
warming). The plan says that the 192 countries that have agreed to follow the
Kyoto Protocol have to try to meet agreed-upon goals for reducing how much
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases they release into the air. Countries
with targets under the Kyoto Protocol have successively reduced their
greenhouse gas emissions by over 20%, well in excess of the 5% target. The
following countries have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol: Afghanistan,
Andorra, Southern Sudan, Vatican City, Taiwan, and the United States.
PARIS AGREEMENT (2015): The Paris Agreement set out a global action
plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate changes.
Traditionally, such pacts have required developed economies like the United
States to take action to lower greenhouse gas emissions, but they have
exempted developing countries like China and India from such obligations.