One of the primary issues with establishing an international regulatory board or commission is gaining enough countries to acknowledge and commit to make the decisions of the body effective. Skeptics may claim that without support of a few key states, such as the United States, Japan, or China, the organization would fail, as the International Court of Justice has. There is evidence, however, to suggest that if public awareness and education campaigns are successful, that we could effectively achieve the aims of the organization without the support of any specific nation. After the U.S. government rejected the Kyoto Protocol, considered by many to be a "death warrant"(Borger, 2001, p. 1), the individual states and cities in America responded with force: nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states are currently leading the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is developing a cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas emissions that they hope other states will join (RGGI, About RGGI); California
*Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - a movement by NE states to cut down on greenhouse
emission. It was activated by local governments in an effort to influence the federal
government.
They call for 10% reduction of emission levels. It is relatively recent, so we're not
sure how much of an impact it will have in the future. However, the initiative of forming
such a group demonstrates that public opinion is strong on the issue.
*Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 by California.
This law was suggested by the citizens of California and basically calls for about a 25%
reduction of emission levels in the next 13 years. This law effectively puts California
under the regulation of the Kyoto Protocol.
Seattle's successes in endorsing the reduction of Greenhouse Gases just by public opinion
and leadership by the local mayor.
Note this excerpt:
"This is a remarkable milestone that shows how cities can lead the way in the fight
against global warming," Nickels said.
Nickels has lobbied other mayors to sign a pledge promising to meet the Kyoto target of
cutting greenhouse gases to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. More than 650 mayors
have joined the movement, which is aimed partly at pressuring the federal government to
join the international treaty."
Borger, J. (2001, March 29). Bush Kills Global Warming Treaty. The Guardian Unlimited Web site: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2001/mar/29/globalwarming.usnews
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Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: An Initiative of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States of the U.S. Retrieved November 16, 2007, from web site: http://www.rggi.org/index.htm.