The Kyoto protocol is an agreement to keep the amount of carbon dioxide at the levels they were at 1990 levels. This sounds like a great idea, but there are several major problems with the protocol.
1. It excuses developing countries. China is the largest polluter of carbon dioxide, and there is no excuse for not holding everyone to the same standards.
2. It would hamper economic development. Many businesses would have a hard time meeting the protocol. Already there are many pressures for manufacturing to leave the country.
3. Countries that have signed the agreement haven't actually followed it. It will do no good to sign an agreement that you will be the only ones to follow
4. The amount of temperature difference if we would have followed the Kyoto protocol is less than a degree.
I think that there is enough technology out there that can make a difference, but almost all of these things will pay for themselves. This should be the first priority of government, and then after we have implemented the changes that will pay for themselves, then we can look to the more painful choices.