A greenhouse gas (sometimes abbreviated GHG) is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the burning of fossil fuels has contributed to the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These gases affect the temperature of the Earth; without them, Earth's surface would be on average about 33 °C (59 °F) colder than at present. Well, this is in simple terms what we call now global warming. USA probably is one of the highly polluted country and a major contributor to global warming.
Lisa Jackson became the head of Enivironmental Protection Agency of USA in the year 2009. A chemical engineer turned public servant, Jackson issued a scientific assessment formally declaring that greenhouse gases pose a threat to human health and welfare. That ruling set the stage for the EPA to regulate greenhouse- gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. The ruling has led to a series of decisions that have provoked the anger of the Republicans. The Republican Congress has fought these efforts, arguing that pollution regulations cost jobs and resources at a time when the country is short of both. As of November, by Jackson’s count, Republicans had brought more than 170 attacks on basic environmental protections up for vote this year, although none of their efforts to weaken existing regulations was successful. Jackson has testified before Congress 11 times this year.
The Obama administration has worked with auto- mobile makers over the past three years to establish fuel-efficiency and greenhouse-gas-emissions standards, the president’s signature environmental achievement thus far. The EPA has also begun rolling out requirements for major industrial facilities and, despite delays, is preparing to issue the first-ever greenhouse-gas standard for US power plants and refineries. Jackson’s EPA has also targeted smog-forming pollutants as well as mercury and other toxic chemicals from industrial facilities and power plants. In October, the agency announced plans to regulate the waste water generated by shale-gas development, which involves injecting water and chemicals at high pressure into gas-bearing rocks, an activity that many fear could pollute groundwater resources.
We have been living in an industrial town for years. I don’t know how seriously we take these environmental issues. If we don’t, then its high time we do!!! The least we can do is protect our trees. Inturn they protect our environment.
“Every time I have some moment on a seashore, or in the mountains, or sometimes in a quiet forest, I think this is why the environment has to be preserved” – Bill Bradley
Lisa Jackson became the head of Enivironmental Protection Agency of USA in the year 2009. A chemical engineer turned public servant, Jackson issued a scientific assessment formally declaring that greenhouse gases pose a threat to human health and welfare. That ruling set the stage for the EPA to regulate greenhouse- gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. The ruling has led to a series of decisions that have provoked the anger of the Republicans. The Republican Congress has fought these efforts, arguing that pollution regulations cost jobs and resources at a time when the country is short of both. As of November, by Jackson’s count, Republicans had brought more than 170 attacks on basic environmental protections up for vote this year, although none of their efforts to weaken existing regulations was successful. Jackson has testified before Congress 11 times this year.
The Obama administration has worked with auto- mobile makers over the past three years to establish fuel-efficiency and greenhouse-gas-emissions standards, the president’s signature environmental achievement thus far. The EPA has also begun rolling out requirements for major industrial facilities and, despite delays, is preparing to issue the first-ever greenhouse-gas standard for US power plants and refineries. Jackson’s EPA has also targeted smog-forming pollutants as well as mercury and other toxic chemicals from industrial facilities and power plants. In October, the agency announced plans to regulate the waste water generated by shale-gas development, which involves injecting water and chemicals at high pressure into gas-bearing rocks, an activity that many fear could pollute groundwater resources.
We have been living in an industrial town for years. I don’t know how seriously we take these environmental issues. If we don’t, then its high time we do!!! The least we can do is protect our trees. Inturn they protect our environment.
“Every time I have some moment on a seashore, or in the mountains, or sometimes in a quiet forest, I think this is why the environment has to be preserved” – Bill Bradley
