US EPA to regulate greenhouse gases

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson formally announced on Monday, December 7 that greenhouse gases such as CO2, methane and nitrous oxide pose a threat to the public health and welfare of the American people and are thus subject to regulation. The EPA based this finding of endangerment on extensively evaluated scientific data, which supports a 2007 US Supreme Court decision that greenhouse gases are air pollutants.

Coinciding with the opening of the climate negotiations in Copenhagen, the announcement was heralded by the European Commission and other members of the international community, including Chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, who said he welcomed the determination and leadership of the United States being demonstrated through this decision.

Administrator Johnson, Environmental Protection Agency and United States, we respectfully laud your commitment to protecting the health of humanity and the planet. May all world leaders in Copenhagen vote similarly for the most effective measures to reduce dangerous greenhouse gases while we still have time.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8400323.stm
http://www.euronews.net/2009/12/08/us-carbon-ruling-raises-hopes-at-copenhagen/
http://english.cctv.com/20091208/101043.shtml