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The finding, a response to the scientific review ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court two years ago, clears the way for the agency to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
"The EPA today officially acknowledged the massive body of scientific research that shows that climate change is harming our health and environment," Eli Hopson, a Washington representative of the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in a statement Friday morning. "Heat waves, the spread of tropical diseases, and worsening air quality are all climate-related threats the EPA can help address."
The EPA analyzed six gases -- carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride -- and concluded their concentrations are at historic levels because of human activity.
Climate change impacts include an increase in average temperatures, higher levels of ground-level ozone, increased drought, and harm to water resources, ecosystems and wildlife. And aside from threatening national security because of diminished resources, climate change also poses health risks to the old, very young and poor, the EPA found.
"This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations. Fortunately, it follows President Obama's call for a low carbon economy and strong leadership in Congress on clean energy and climate legislation," EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said in a statement. "This pollution problem has a solution – one that will create millions of green jobs and end our country's dependence on foreign oil."
The proposed finding now heads to the public comment phase and will likely lead to the establishment of national emissions standards for heavy emitters such as cars and power plants. Meanwhile in Congress, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will soon begin hearings on the Waxman-Markey bill, also known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
Man made global warming is a
Man made global warming is a myth! Think about it, the last major "age" this planet had was an ice age. How does a planet come out of an ice age? Global warming. And where were the humans and technology then? Where I live in the Midwest United States, our winters have been getting warmer overall BUT our summers have been getting cooler. To me, anecdotal evidence shows more of a seasonal stabilization than overall global warming. In the end, it's all about fear. Keep the "sheep" in the world scared and you can get away with just about anything.
Create cheap clean energy?
Why would anyone or any business want to spend MORE money to create dirty energy? My assumption is that they would not. Therefore, if clean energy is "cheap", dirty energy must be dirt cheap...almost free (in terms of today's dollars and cents).
The EPA announcement is a
The EPA announcement is a welcome one and it has been long time coming. We must slow the effects of climate change and that means reducing emissions. You cannot manage what you do not measure, so the absolute first order is to establish the baseline carbon footprint--at the organizational (corporate et al) level, municipal level, regional, state and national level. Then and only then can we begin to reduce our emissions. If anyone is looking for resources to help them prepare for the EPA reporting rules, CSA (World Secretariat for the development of ISO 14064, an international carbon accounting standard) has developed a suite with the goal of 'carbon performance made simple' that includes an independent ghg registry, training, advisory services to help measure and manage the footprint, standards and personnel certification for carbon consultants, ghg quantifiers and ghg verifiers.
Wow
get ready for higher energy costs.
http://digg.com/u11FM6
There could be no better
There could be no better investment in America than to invest in America becoming energy independent! We need to utilize everything in out power to reduce our dependence on foreign oil including using our own natural resources. Create cheap clean energy, new badly needed green jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.The high cost of fuel this past year seriously damaged our economy and society. The cost of fuel effects every facet of consumer goods from production to shipping costs. It costs the equivalent of 60 cents per gallon to charge and drive an electric car. If all gasoline cars, trucks, and SUV's instead had plug-in electric drive trains the amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota.We have so much available to us such as wind and solar. Let's spend some of those bail out billions and get busy harnessing this energy. Create cheap clean energy, badly needed new jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. What a win-win situation that would be for our nation at large! I just read a really good new book out by Jeff Wilson called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence Now. Investing in energy independence would positively impact our economy and futures.