California, a state which alone has ranked as the fourth largest economy in the world, is an important symbol for U.S ideals, and its adoption of new ideas. Encouragingly for environmentalists, then, it has been announced that the Environmental Protection agency (EPA) have approved a proposal from the state of California, to introduce carbon emissions standards, under the name of the Clean Cars Standard, to all cars produced and bought in the state.
The move is one that overturns decisions made during the presidency of George Bush Jnr., when the Environmental Protection Agency, under the jurisdiction of George Bush at the time, rejected a Clean Cars Standard for the state.
With the acceptance of the proposal for California, thirteen states will also take on the Clean Cars Standard, providing an opportunity across the US for a reduction of carbon emissions in the motor industry.
Lisa Jackson, Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, hailed the decision, stating that it championed correct causes. She said that,
“This decision puts the law and science first. After review of the scientific findings, and another comprehensive round of public engagement, I have decided this is the appropriate course under the law…More importantly, this decision reinforces the historic agreement on nationwide emissions standards developed by a broad coalition of industry, government and environmental stakeholders earlier this year”.
It is another example of the differing environmental policies of Barack Obama and George Bush Jnr., and Californian Attorney General Jerry Brown “EPA’s reversal tears down the last remaining barrier preventing California from enforcing its laws curbing greenhouse gases…Today’s decision stands in sharp contrast to the Bush EPA’s politically driven denial two years ago.”
Whilst the move is not a national one, it is another notable success amongst several smaller changes being made by the Obama administration, and the optimism surrounding potential environmental gains, to be made during the next five years, are certainly warranted. That the US is setting in force a number of domestic measures prior to the Copenhagen summit in December, will be welcome news for the world’s leading nations, as they attempt to replace the Kyoto Protocol with a new worldwide carbon emissions policy.
As China has also pledged its enthusiasm in recent months, both of the world’s major players – and worst culprits – are on board.
