Federal and state governments are pursuing the following strategies to address global warming:
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In 1992, the U.S. signed this international treaty, which sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to address climate change. While a number of countries have also approved a more powerful, legally binding addition to the treaty, known as the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. has chosen not to be a signatory.
• Federal legislation. In April 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases are considered pollutants under the Clean Air Act. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now has the authority to regulate these emissions from cars. Additionally, dozens of legislative proposals related to global warming have been introduced by members of Congress in recent years, and with increasingly stringent targets.
• Federally mandated minimum efficiency standards. Minimum energy efficiency standards have played an important role in promoting the design and production of appliances that use less energy, cause less environmental damage, and reduce consumers’ electric bills. Recently, the Department of Energy (DOE) has agreed to improve standards for nearly two dozen household appliances.
• State and regional policies. Many states and regions are adopting policies to address global warming, including increasing renewable energy generation, selling carbon credits, and encouraging energy efficiency. Additionally, more than 400 U.S. cities have agreed to try to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol as signatories of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
• Tax incentives. The federal government and several states currently offer tax incentives to encourage consumers to buy efficient cars and appliances.
• Clean energy initiatives. The EPA’s Green Power Partnership encourages organizations, companies and communities to voluntarily purchase clean energy options, such as solar energy, wind power, and hydrogen fuels, as a way to reduce the risk of climate change and the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use.
Companies are pursuing the following strategies that address global warming:
• The Pew Center’s Business Environmental Leadership Council. This is the largest U.S.-based association of corporations focused on addressing global warming with more than 40 members. Member companies are taking initiatives in areas such as energy, carbon sequestration, and waste management. You can learn which companies are participating and what they’re doing by visiting the Pew Center's Business Environmental Leadership Council .
• The U.S. Climate Action Partnership. Several companies and organizations have formed a coalition called the U.S. Climate Action Partnership to call for national legislation that requires significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies. Partners set a corporate-wide greenhouse gas reduction goal and inventory their emissions to measure progress. Click here to learn more.
• Chicago Climate Exchange. The first U.S. voluntary pilot program for the trading of six greenhouse gases. Members make a voluntary but legally binding commitment to reduce emissions.Click here to learn more.
• The Carbon Mitigation Initiative is a joint project of Princeton University, BP and the Ford Motor Company to find solutions to the greenhouse and global warming problem. Click here for more information.
You can learn more about what government and industry are doing to solve global warming issues through The Pew Center on Global Climate Change and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
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