MEDIA REACTION ON THE KYOTO PROTOCOL, MARCH 1, 2005

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000463 SIPDIS FOR WHA/PDA, OES, EB, AND WHA/CEN FOR IIP/G/WHA AND IIP/T/ES EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO PREL SENV HO SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON THE KYOTO PROTOCOL, MARCH 1, 2005 ¶1. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La Prensa" on 2/27, entitled "The Kyoto Protocol." "The implementation of the Kyoto Protocol has forced thirty four countries that have ratified it to reduce the emission of greenhouse effect gases by ¶2012. This has been an important first step taken by Japan, the European Union, Canada, and Russia, some of the industrialized countries which are mostly responsible of the pollution in the atmosphere." "The U.S., the world's worst polluter, is not involved in this international effort for our survival. Furthermore, China, the second-worst polluter, ratified the Protocol but it isn't actually compelled to follow it. Both Washington and Beijing have quickly expressed their will to cooperate to reduce the emission of gases as long as it does not affect their economies, which will prevent a full implementation of the Protocol, as it has been acknowledged by several environmentalists who have already started to work on a new agreement which will include the U.S. and some of the so-called emerging economies, such as China, India, and Brazil." "There's no doubt that the action of humanity on the planet, which has exponentially grown since the Industrial Revolution, has had a negative effect on the environment. The efforts to revert the consequences of global warming are crucial to ensure survival on Earth. Taking care of our planet means to save lives. Is that so difficult to understand? We do not think so." Palmer