Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The global warming and ecological degradation poses the threat of eco-suicide for the humanity and other living species in not-too-distant- a -future if the current rate of consumption and human behavior in relation to nature goes unabated. The US and Canada are the two leading developed countries having highest responsibility to the Earth and its inhabitants given their contribution to global pollution. The US contributes one-quarter of global carbon dioxide emission, with output jumping 11% in the past decade. Canada is similarly one of the greatest polluters. Scientists say that without cuts in emissions of gases like Carbon dioxide from burning oil and coal there could be unprecedented climate change with possibly devastating effects. There is awareness that threat from climate change is second only to nuclear war. To the leaders and citizens of both the counties climate and environment is of course a high priority, though there have been differences between their governments in their approaches to tackle the challenge.As President George Bush once said ? We (US and Canada) are determined to show good stewardship of the earth and that requires addressing the serious, long-term challenges of global climate change.?In the battle against global warming and climate change, one of the leading steps among many was the Kyoto protocol on Global warming, which Canada was the first to sign and ratify, the then Liberal Government calling it ?an important milestone in Canada?s contribution to addressing climate change?. The US did not ratify the treaty, President Bush calling it economically irresponsible. However, the US is involved in another Green Partnership called Asia-Pacific Platform on CLEAN development and Climate, an alternative to the Kyoto Protocol. The Pact?s emission reductions are voluntary.Of late the news is that Canada is against strengthening of the Kyoto Protocol on global warming and wants to move global environmental standards to a voluntary level.(The Toronto Globe and Mail, May21,2006) Canada wants all heavily polluting countries including the US to sign on to a UN climate change policy.The paper analyses the developments leading to the understanding of the issues involved in Global Environmental Diplomacy and Global Green governance with particular reference to the US and Canada while also looking at these issues from the North-South angle. The global warming and ecological degradation poses the threat of eco-suicide for the humanity and other living species in not-too-distant- a -future if the current rate of consumption and human behavior in relation to nature goes unabated. The US and Canada are the two leading developed countries having highest responsibility to the Earth and its inhabitants given their contribution to global pollution. The US contributes one-quarter of global carbon dioxide emission, with output jumping 11% in the past decade. Canada is similarly one of the greatest polluters. Scientists say that without cuts in emissions of gases like Carbon dioxide from burning oil and coal there could be unprecedented climate change with possibly devastating effects. There is awareness that threat from climate change is second only to nuclear war. To the leaders and citizens of both the counties climate and environment is of course a high priority, though there have been differences between their governments in their approaches to tackle the challenge.As President George Bush once said ? We (US and Canada) are determined to show good stewardship of the earth and that requires addressing the serious, long-term challenges of global climate change.?In the battle against climate change, one of the leading steps among many was the Kyoto protocol on Global warming, which Canada was the first to sign and ratify, the then Liberal Government calling it ?an important milestone in Canada?s contribution to addressing climate change?. The US did not ratify the treaty, President Bush calling it economically irresponsible. However, the US is involved in another Green Partnership called Asia-Pacific Platform on CLEAN development and Climate, an alternative to the Kyoto Protocol. The Pact?s emission reductions are voluntary.Of late the news is that Canada is against strengthening of the Kyoto Protocol on global warming and wants to move global environmental standards to a voluntary level.(The Toronto Globe and Mail, May21,2006) Canada wants all heavily polluting countries including the US to sign on to a UN climate change policy.The paper analyses the developments leading to the understanding of the issues involved in Global Environmental Diplomacy and Global Green governance with particular reference to the US and Canada while also looking at these issues from the North-South angle. output jumping 11% in the past decade.Scientists say that without cuts in emissions of gases like Carbon dioxide from burning oil and coal there could be unprecedented climate change with possibly devastating effects.