what is the policy (or policies) that pertains to climate change, what is its basis, and how has it evolved? How is it administered? How is the "success" of the policy measured? What have been the consequences of the policy on the environment? Has the policy been changed in response to these consequences? If so, how? If not, how do you think it should be changed?
News and comments on global climate change, global warming and greenhouse effect
Yes, legislation has already passed the house, and is to be considered in the senate. Just in case it does not pass the senate, Obama has signed an executive order directing the EPA to regulate CO2 as a pollutant, and effectively has already made this bill: HR2454 the law of the land.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/science/earth/19epa.html
The limits are as follows:
-3 percent reduction from 2005 levels in 2012;
-20 percent reduction from 2005 levels in 2020;
-42 percent reduction from 2005 levels in 2030; and
-83 percent reduction from 2005 levels in 2050.
The method is:
A "cap and trade program in which covered entities are prohibited from emitting greenhouse gas in excess of the number of emission allowances and offset credits that the entity acquired during each calendar year (Sec. 311)."
http://votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=26496
If this policy is followed, it will result in either enriching some scoundrels via "Cap and Trade" marketing at our expense, or worse, (if the scoundrels fail to provide adequate trade offs), result in the shut down of most of what remains of our industry. Probably (Hopefully), the former.
http://boortz.com/nealz_nuze/2009/05/the-capandtrade-scam.html
Furthermore, it will likely result in the USA going nuclear.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=14297
The program should be scrapped. CO2 does not cause global warming, and trade off would not work anyway.
http://www.geocraft.com/WVFossils/greenhouse_data.html
So far the closest we have come is that Congress is thinking about passing a law called cap and trade which will further create greater job loss as more manufacturing moves to Nations without tough environmental laws. If Congress doesn’t act then the EPA will especially since they are trying to pass tougher smog laws even though half of the Nation doesn’t meet existing laws. Both of these will further drive manufacturing overseas and people will be suffering since there will not be jobs for a lot of people.