Action Versus Words:

Implementation of the UNFCCC by Select Developing Countries

ISBN: 0-9706340-1-3

The Woods Hole Research Center's study of measures taken by nations in the developing world in the fight against global climate change culminated in the release of the book entitled Action Versus Words: Implementation of the UNFCCC by Select Developing Countries. Case studies from seven larger developing countries - Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Korea, Senegal, and South Africa - are presented in the volume.

It is clear that actions initiated in the developing countries to cope with the challenge of climate change far exceed those initiated in the industrialized countries. This fact confirms the wisdom of the original agreement and substantially destroys the argument advanced by the U.S. and others that the developing nations will necessarily flood the world with additional carbon from their accelerated use of fossil fuels. However, it also emphasizes the elementary fact that the requirements accepted by the industrialized nations are very modest and if those nations meet them in full, the contribution to stabilizing the global climate system will be small in proportion to the need. With the absence of the United States from the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, the challenge is even more formidable. As the world community proceeds with the next steps, including a review scheduled to be carried out by 2005 and the first Meeting of the Parties of the Kyoto Protocol, it is important to question the appropriateness of the current approach in dealing with the climate threat. The procedure must continue, but it must also be accelerated. The developing nations can not only join but can lead.

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©Woods Hole Research Center, 2008