This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/sci/tech/8004975.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Obama to regulate 'pollutant' CO2 | Obama to regulate 'pollutant' CO2 |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| The US government is to regulate carbon dioxide emissions, having decided that it and five other greenhouse gases may endanger human health and well-being. | The US government is to regulate carbon dioxide emissions, having decided that it and five other greenhouse gases may endanger human health and well-being. |
| The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the move following a review of the scientific evidence. | The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the move following a review of the scientific evidence. |
| The news was welcomed by environmental groups that mounted a series of court cases during George Bush's presidency aimed at forcing the EPA to act. | The news was welcomed by environmental groups that mounted a series of court cases during George Bush's presidency aimed at forcing the EPA to act. |
| Developing countries have asked for the US to show leadership on climate. | Developing countries have asked for the US to show leadership on climate. |
| Many developing nations are not prepared to curtail their own emissions without firm indications that the US is willing to make major cuts. | Many developing nations are not prepared to curtail their own emissions without firm indications that the US is willing to make major cuts. |
| Legislation is being proposed in Congress, but the EPA decision - known as an "endangerment finding" - will allow the agency to mandate some cuts without waiting for the draft bills to become law. | |
| "This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations," said EPA administrator Lisa Jackson. | "This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations," said EPA administrator Lisa Jackson. |
| "Fortunately, it follows President Obama's call for a low-carbon economy and strong leadership in Congress on clean energy and climate legislation; and... the solution is one that will create millions of green jobs and end our country's dependence on foreign oil." | "Fortunately, it follows President Obama's call for a low-carbon economy and strong leadership in Congress on clean energy and climate legislation; and... the solution is one that will create millions of green jobs and end our country's dependence on foreign oil." |
| 'Disproportionate impacts' | |
| In 2007, the Supreme Court instructed the agency to review the evidence on climate change with a view to reconsidering its stance on the possible threats of climate change. | |
| In the endangerment finding, it cites a number of impacts that it believes may impact significantly on US citizens, including an increased risk of droughts and floods, sea level rise, more intense storms and heatwaves, and harm to water supplies, agriculture and wildlife. | |
| Ms Jackson concluded that these impacts would fall disproportionately on people who were poor or in ill health, and on indigenous groups. | |
| The EPA quoted a 2007 report by a group of retired generals and admirals who said that climate change presented "national security challenges" for the US. |