Others have called the plan a casino, since no one knows for certain how the prices will actually fluctuate,

On the other hand, should the emissions trading system be properly codified, it may encourage private industry to become more involved in combatting greenhouse gases. The only problem is that as yet, there is no standard measurement for comparing emissions.

The same holds true for carbon "sinks", another Kyoto provision, whereby forests can be designated as carbon sequestration areas, due to the fact that plant life inhales

carbon dioxide and exhales oxygen. In a complicated system, also as yet not standardised, the sinks can also earn emissions credits, which can be exchanged in the emissions trading market.

Resistance to carbon "sinks" is based on many reasons. Foremost is the present inability to measure the amount of carbon sequestered, but second is the danger of forest fires, which emit great quantities of carbon dioxide, thereby not only nullifying the sequestration, but also adding to emissions.

Another reason is the lack of definition of "forests" and the

encouragement of mono-culture tree plantations, which can also serve as "sinks". Many such projects have already been established, distracting efforts to encourage environmentally friendly industries, while disrupting the natural development of land for other uses.

Much of the debate during the most recent Climate Conference centered on these two issues, thereby illustrating the problem, by not focusing negotiations on actually lowering greenhouse gas emissions, in heavily industrialized areas.

The Kyoto Protocol provides