The Wire

Even with many countries complying with the Kyoto Protocol, the globe’s CO2 emissions look set to only be reduced by one percent between 2008 and 2012. But hopes are high that the December meeting in Bali, which will be attended by government officials from around the world, will see the hammering out of a new agreement to combat one of the greatest threats faced by humans. Much disagreement exists about who should be forced to pay or cut the most emissions. Western countries are responsible for the majority of the emissions in the atmosphere, but developing countries like China and India are set to over take The United States in being the largest emitters on the planet. But perhaps the solution lies in a third way, according to Ian McGregor, who is currently completing a doctorate looking at societies’ barriers to ecologically sustainable development at the University of Technology Sydney.