After a thorough scientific review was ordered by the US Supreme Court in 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a proposal on greenhouse gases.
According to the findings, the six key greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydroflurocarbons (HFCs), perflurocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) – threaten the welfare of both current and future generations. It has been deemed by the EPA that the emissions from new motor vehicles and their engines contribute to these concentrations and threaten climate change.
The analysis also looked at the impact of climate change on human health and suggests that it may lead to higher levels of ground-level ozone, a harmful pollutant. Additional impacts of climate change include increased drought; more heavy downpours; greater sea level rise; more intense storms; harm to water resources, agriculture and wildlife; and more frequent and intense heat waves and wild fires.
The findings will now go to public comment. Before taking steps to reduce greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, the EPA must conduct an appropriate process with stakeholder input. The public hearings are scheduled for the EPA Potomac Yard Conference Centre in Arlington, VA on May 18 and the Bell Harbor International Conference Centre in Seattle, WA on May 21.
