The Kyoto protocol, which is also know as the "Kyoto Treaty" aimed to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases on a global scale. The United States is the largest emitter of the aforementioned gases, and to decline the burning of fossil fuels to fall in line with the outlines of the protocol, would cause an economic disturbance. The lack of global participation was worrisome, and most of the countries that agreed to the protocol were and still are developing nations that do not consume anywhere near the levels of gases presented in the protocol.
