The Kyoto Protocol, the United Nations' efforts on climate change, were focused on stabilizing greenhouse gases to a level where it won't be dangerous for the environment. However, the treaty is soon to expire in 2012. For a worldwide effort, from now till then isn't that far away at all. Industries have to know the rules that will be applied to them before they start anything like building a factory.

The next climate plan will be held in Vienna on August 27, and delegates from more than 150 countries are expected to attend. That's about 1,000 participants in total.

The talks are expected to present some key points for discussion for the UN climate summit in December. One of the main points in the agenda is whether or not the involved countries are willing to take the next step from the Kyoto Protocol.

The meeting will address certain climate concerns for the next 25 years. Among other things that will be discussed is the participation of developing countries in the program and the droughts and floods that plague Africa.

A fast changing climate attributed to human activities will also be addressed. The changes are believed to cause heat waves and droughts in the future. By 2030, costs for just maintaining the current level of greenhouse gasses are estimated to reach US$ 200 billion.