[Okay, not so much about seasonal work, but if the predictions of the effects of global warming come true, there won't be 'seasons' any more. If you are interested in the global climate, check this out and let your voice be heard.]

The fate of the Kyoto Protocol hangs in the balance. The Kyoto agreement is the ONLY international treaty for global action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Since the US pulled out of the treaty, its survival lies in the hands of Japan who must join the EU in backing it for it to come into force.

International climate talks restarted in Bonn this week, and Japan still hasn't joined the EU in openly declaring its support for the treaty. Instead Japan is using its position of power to blackmail other countries into agreeing special concessions for Japan and watering down the Kyoto Protocol.

The Kyoto Protocol is the result of 10 years of talks - we cannot wait any longer to take action on climate change. Please send an email in support of a speedy ratification and entry into force for this crucial agreement.

**ACT NOW: SEND AN EMAIL TO THE JAPANESE EMBASSY IN GERMANY!**

Use the short sample email below, or write your own, and send it to the Japanese embassy in Germany at this address: info@embjapan.de

You can find more information and daily updates on the climate talks at Friends of the Earth

******************************************************************

H.E. Issei NOMURA
Japanese Embassy
Hiroshimastr. 6, 10785 Berlin


Dear Ambassador Nomura

Please, as a matter of urgency, pass my concerns to Environment Minister
Kawaguchi at the climate negotiations underway in Bonn.

Japan, as the country which brokered the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, has a
special responsibility to ensure that this global agreement enters into
force. Japan must not attempt to destroy the environmental integrity of
the treaty during the negotiations, nor must it use US intransigence as
an excuse not to reach agreement in Bonn. If the negotiations in Bonn
fail, then Japan will have to shoulder much of the blame. Please commit
now to ratifying a strong and effective Kyoto Protocol, without the
Americans if necessary.

Yours sincerely

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