Breaking: Russian Duma ratifies Kyoto!

[Stockholm]

Russia ratifies Kyoto-protocol

The Russian Duma (Parliament) today voted to ratify the Kyoto-protocol (334 for and 76 against, 2 abstentions) according to TT (Tidningarnas Telegrambyrå - Swe. news agency)

The Treaty is expected to enter into force globally about 90 days after Russia has finalised its ratification process. Their participation is necessary since the US declared their opposition to the Treaty in 2001. Also Australia pulled out of the Treaty. Russia's emissions count for about 17 percent of global emissions.

snip

quick and dirty translation from http://www.tt.se/start/

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. BBC story

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3943727.stm

[Physicist]

2. Wanted - better information

Where can I find a news story about this to send to my friends and authorities which states what fraction of greenhouse gas emissions is now covered (the countries that emit 55% of emissions must sign on for the treaty to go into effect. Today that target has been reached and exceeded, but by how much?)

It's great news that the treaty has been ratified. Russian ratification makes US participation more realistic.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. NYT tells us the Russian and US percentages

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/22/international/asia/22CND-KYOTO.html

this webpage give all the shares for the 34 industrial countries:

http://www.climnet.org/EUenergy/ratification/1990sharestable.htm

It seems the only sizable countries that haven't ratified are the USA and Australia.

[Combat Honey]

4. Makes me sad though...

...that USA didn't join. Clinton signed, Bush didn't ratify...same old, same old...But gladly my country ratified!

-Johanna from Finland

[Massacure]

5. Once ratified all the industrialized nations are committed, are they not?

That means the Kyoto can sanction or tariff the U.S.