The Kyoto Protocol was presented in 1997 and, if ratified, would require the 38 developed countries to reduce their national emissions of greenhouse gases by five percent from 1990 levels by the year 2012.
Due to objections by many nations and individuals, the Kyoto Protocol has not yet been ratified by all 38 developed nations. Some object to the fact that developing nations face no specific emissions limitations on the principle that industrialized nations have contributed the most to the problem and therefore have an obligation to take the first steps. There are also objections because population is not specifically addressed. The Kyoto Protocol is based on national caps that will not be adjusted for increases or decreases in population. The United States' population is projected to rise 24 percent between 1990-2010. Since population increases result in more houses, cars, energy use, and consequently, emissions, countries with rising populations are at a comparative disadvantage under the Kyoto Protocol.