Theme 1

The issue of the Kyoto protocol.

Go to this web page and answer the questions: 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4269921.stm 

I. WHAT IS THE KYOTO PROTOCOL  ? 

♠ Read the part entitled « What is the Kyoto Protocol? » and create a definition of the Protocol:

« It is an international ................................. that was ..................... in 1997. It is based on the principle that industrialized countries should ............. their ......................... gas emissions. Gas emissions are thought partly responsible for the .................... ...... ....... ................ .  Global warming is .......  ............  .....  .................   ................. which may have catastrophic consequences for life on Earth.» 

Can you find the name of 2 of the gases  targeted by the Protocol? 

-…………………………….. 

-…………………………… 

II. COLLECT MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PROTOCOL: 

♠ Read the part entitled « When did the Kyoto Protocol come into force? » and find information.

Make full sentences! 

Which countries did not ratify the Protocol? 

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The protocol was agreed in 1997. However, it came into effect in 2005 only. Why? 

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♠ Now, look at the part entitled « When did the US pull out? »:

In what year did the USA pull out of the Protocol? 

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Who was the US president at the time? 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

What reason did he give? 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

♠ Find in the article at large:

Can you give the name of two developing countries which signed the Protocol? 

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-…………………………… 

III. HAS THE KYOTO PROTOCOL BEEN SUCCESSFUL ? 

♠ Read the part entitled « Have the targets been achieved? » [!!'target' = objectif]:

According to the article, have the targets been achieved or not? Give two examples to back your answer. 

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

WHAT ABOUT OTHER POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS ? 

♠ Read the parts entitled « What is emissions trading » and « Are there alternatives? » and answer the questions:

What is « emission trading »? Find a definition in the text. 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

According to what you understand, tick a box to say if the following sentence would be possible: 

« In 2002, France bought 20 pollution credits to Kenya. » 

-possible

- impossible

What other solution is evoked in the article? 

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