A two-page graphic spread in the March 24 issue of Science depicts the state of greenhouse gas emissions for 10 countries that are key to the 1997 Kyoto Treaty, and where the planet is headed. (March 24, 2006)

Participants at a U.N.-sponsored meeting in Nairobi in November are to discuss options following the expiration of the Kyoto Treaty in 2012.

Science states, "...the United States and Australia, two major non-ratifying nations, insist that long-term investment in technology and voluntary reductions are a better approach; their emissions have grown steadily since 1990. And developing nations not bound by Kyoto targets, in particular China and India, are beginning to emit carbon at absolute rates that match those of more industrialized nations."

Below, one of the graphics designed for Science by Kelly Buckheit, depicts the state of greenhouse gas emissions for 10 key countries in 1990 vs 2002.