1.     In what year was this law enacted?

The conference that created the Kyoto Protocol was held from December 1st - 11th, 1997 in Kyoto, Japan.  Countries were

able to ratify the treaty starting in March 1998.  The treaty was signed by Al Gore in November 1998, never ratified by the senate.  In 2001, President Bush cut U.S. participation in the treaty.  The protocol became enforced on February 16, 2005.

2.     What events or situations led to the enactment of this law?

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was created in 1992, but was not practical because it was not able to require countries to reach their goal by 2000.  This combined with worry over rising amounts of greenhouse gas emissions lead to the conference being held.

3.     What controversy, if any, is or was connected to this law?

There is controversy over not requiring developing countries to reduce their emissions as well as if the treaty would help or harm the economy.

4.     What does the law do?

The protocol or treaty requires three things.  The first is at least 38 developed countries to cut green house emissions to an average of about 5.2% below 1990 levels by 2012.  It also does not require developing countries to do anything until a later draft of the treaty.  Finally, the protocol allows for emissions trading among participating nations.

5.     What impacts has this law had?  In addition to discussion this from a broad sense, include at least one specific example.

It is predicted that if the 38 nations reduce their emissions by the required 5.2%, that would reduce the projected temperature rise in 2060 by about 0.06°C.  This law is also hopefully the first of more to come resulting in reduced emissions.