Why the Kyoto Protocol Failed and How U.S. Presidents Make Treaties Today

With the world’s most powerful military and largest economy, the United States is uniquely able to influence global affairs.Decisions made in Washington have far-reaching consequences, often affecting billions of people worldwide. While the president leads the country’s foreign policy… it’s the United States Senate that has the sole power to approve foreign treaties... Well, according to the Constitution that’s how it works. But in practice, presidents have increasingly avoided this check on their power. To understand why, let’s turn back the clock a few decades, to when President Bill Clinton attempted -- and failed -- to use foreign policy to take aim at the growing threat of climate change. Learn about the Kyoto Protocol, why it failed and how it influenced how U.S. Presidents make treaties today with this video lesson. Foreign policy lessons can help learners better navigate the major issues of today and the challenges of the future. Sign up for the CFR Education Newsletter to receive global affairs resources like this straight to your inbox: https://link.cfr.org/join/66n/hp-cfr-... Subscribe to our channel for more videos that cover the issues, trends, and concepts you need to know to navigate our complicated world: https://link.cfr.org/join/66n/hp-cfr-... CFR Education, from the Council on Foreign Relations, aims to close the global literacy gap in our country by providing accessible, accurate, and authoritative resources that build the knowledge, skills, and perspective high school and higher education students need to understand and engage with today’s most pressing global issues. Visit our website: https://education.cfr.org/ Follow us on social media: Facebook:   / cfr_education   Twitter:   / cfr_education   #teaching #climate #kyotoprotocol #kyoto