There is widespread fact that the earths temperature has increased 0.3 - 0.6 C in the past 100 years. Some changes in the physical features of the earth is also an indication of the temperature rise (UNEP). Examples of this include the melting of mountain glaciers and a decrease in the planet's snow cover has also been recorded. It has also been recorded that sea levels have risen 1-2mm a year during the past 100years (UNEP)

Greenhouse gases are usually naturally occurring however the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) through industrial and agricultural practices has increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (UNEP). This increase concentration is likely to result in higher global temperatures.

Trees are a main user of the gas CO2 (carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas) large scale deforestation has can be also related to the increase of global temperatures. (UNEP). Greenhouses gases such as CFC's (chlorofluorocarbons) are a direct result of human industrial processes, the releasing of CFC's has been occurring since the 1930's.

The cost for Australia to take up the protocol will cost somewhere between six and twelve billion dollars, this is roughly between one and two percent of its gross domestic product. It's unlikely that this cost will be spread evenly between the states, as a result conflict could occur. Australia has however set aside a billion dollars for businesses to take up new carbon efficient practices.

Australia's government supports strongly for the continuing use of fossil fuels (Greenpeace). It is unfortunate that this is occurring, however Australia relies on the fossil fuel energy to run its economy. It's refusal to take up the Kyoto protocol has had made some enemies, but doesn't Australia have the right to use its resources for profit. Much coal is shipped from Australia, this is to be used to generate power which will run factories and give people jobs, yes it is a bit of shame that the world has to suffer from the continuing pollution. We however do not live in the clouds, though some people who criticise Australia, might have their heads up there.

The Kyoto protocol was a united agreement between 160 nations, its aim was to reduce the levels of emissions of each country. Its mission for the world is to reduce global emissions of carbon dioxide to 5 per cent below the 1990 value by 2012.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Kyoto Protocol, John Lennon's, UNEP Greenhouse, , UNEP Examples, UNEP Greenhouses, kyoto protocol, fossil fuel, fossil fuels, carbon dioxide, deserts bloom, atmosphere unep, permit system, global temperatures, human activity, emissions country,
Approximate Word count = 899
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)