The EPA is finally taking action on climate change.
Yesterday, the EPA announced the completion of their endangerment study on greenhouse gas emissions. This study deems GHGs as harmful to human health and welfare. This means that the EPA is legally obligated to curb them. This, in combination with the Supreme Court ruling handed down almost 3 years ago that stated that the Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990 includes GHGs, will help the EPA to move forward with slowing down our emissions.
What does all this mean? This means that the United States' Environmental Protection Agency will finally stop ignoring the science behind climate change and move towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions on a national level.
Starting January 1, 2010, the EPA will work with large companies that emit over 25,000 tons of GHGs per year to implement the newest technologies in emissions reductions.
Lisa Jackson stated that this is not the end of the EPA's work to combat climate change; it is only the beginning. She also discussed the importance of strong legislation.
All in all, this really is a step in the right direction, if the EPA follows through. But it is not nearly enough, and I hope that Lisa Jackson realizes this as well. We need strong and comprehensive climate legislation in the United States.
While the press conference was obviously timed to coincide with the opening of COP15, I hope that the intention to follow through on this pronouncement is there.
We shall see come January 1st.
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