Ratification of Kyoto Protocol should be first step toward prevention of global warming -- Akahata editorial, June 6 (excerpts)

Japan's government decided to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This is a first step for Japan toward prevention of global warming.

Japan chaired the 1997 Third Conference of Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Kyoto which adopted the Kyoto Protocol. But it has failed to ratify the protocol and has faced criticism from the world for being indifferent to the environmental issue.

Public opinion and movements both in and out of Japan have strenuously worked on Japan's vacillating government into carrying out its responsibility as the conference chair and ratify the protocol.

The Kyoto Protocol obliges Japan to reduce by 2008-2012 carbon dioxide emission by 6% from the figure in 1990. Japan should achieve this target as its minimum task, but it has actually no specific plan to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by 2004, or even to study the measures.

Effective systems must be established under which all companies are required to have their own programs to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Establishments of nuclear power plants in the name of preventing global warming must be ended. The international community is increasingly turning to solar energy. For example, the share of wind power to all forms of energy in Japan is much lower than in Germany or the United States.

As the Kyoto Conference chair, Japan should urge Russia, one of the highest ranking countries for carbon dioxide emissions, to ratify the protocol as early as possible.

At the same time, Japan should urge the United States, at the top of the list for carbon dioxide emissions, to come back to the international process and abide by the rules decided under the Kyoto Protocol. (end)