An online article in Time Magazine in the Space and Science section discussed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) carbon dioxide regulation. The title of the article is "EPA's CO2 Regulation Upheld as "unambiguously correct."As of June 28, 2012 (when this article was written), the EPA was granted permission to regulate CO2 emissions, which they proved in 2009 to be a hazard to public health. There were many challengers to their proposed argument, however, after three years of a lawsuit, the court finally ruled that they were correct.
One policy called the "Tailpipe rule" limits the carbon dioxide emissions from cars and trucks. Regulations such as permits for construction and operation of industrial facilities is another regulation the EPA is in charge of. Regardless of the continual opposing arguments of whether the EPA should have this right and whether these regulations are valid and/or beneficial, they still regulate the emissions of CO2.
Opposers reason that our economy and jobs will suffer now since the EPA has taken charge over emissions. Companies claim that energy prices will be higher while jobs will be destroyed, resulting in a dampened economy. EPA has been accused of trying to side-step Congress by imposing a "cap-and-trade" policy without congressional legislation. In spite of all the fight, congress has not reversed their decision on allowing the EPA to regulate emissions.
From a personal point of view, I see it as yes the economy is not the greatest, but neither is the environment. As provided in previous post, there are valid arguments against the whole global warming business, but are they sound? As a growing environmentalist (yes, I'm a tree-hugger), you can guess where my arguments and bias lie. What I took from this article is that it's very important for everyone, worldwide, to be knowledgeable on the topic of the environment whether it's a little or a lot. Conservation is key to our survival on this plant, and if we don't begin to open our minds to adaptation and regulation then the chances for future generations to live on this planet may be limited.
Understanding even the most basic concepts are important so that you, as an individual, can make your own inferences about the environment--where you stand ethically. Whether you're for or against sustainability or see no trends to support global warming, then that's up to you. What really matters is the fundamental education of how everything is connected. If you have that, then there's no reason for anyone to say "Oh, I didn't know."
One policy called the "Tailpipe rule" limits the carbon dioxide emissions from cars and trucks. Regulations such as permits for construction and operation of industrial facilities is another regulation the EPA is in charge of. Regardless of the continual opposing arguments of whether the EPA should have this right and whether these regulations are valid and/or beneficial, they still regulate the emissions of CO2.
Opposers reason that our economy and jobs will suffer now since the EPA has taken charge over emissions. Companies claim that energy prices will be higher while jobs will be destroyed, resulting in a dampened economy. EPA has been accused of trying to side-step Congress by imposing a "cap-and-trade" policy without congressional legislation. In spite of all the fight, congress has not reversed their decision on allowing the EPA to regulate emissions.
From a personal point of view, I see it as yes the economy is not the greatest, but neither is the environment. As provided in previous post, there are valid arguments against the whole global warming business, but are they sound? As a growing environmentalist (yes, I'm a tree-hugger), you can guess where my arguments and bias lie. What I took from this article is that it's very important for everyone, worldwide, to be knowledgeable on the topic of the environment whether it's a little or a lot. Conservation is key to our survival on this plant, and if we don't begin to open our minds to adaptation and regulation then the chances for future generations to live on this planet may be limited.
Understanding even the most basic concepts are important so that you, as an individual, can make your own inferences about the environment--where you stand ethically. Whether you're for or against sustainability or see no trends to support global warming, then that's up to you. What really matters is the fundamental education of how everything is connected. If you have that, then there's no reason for anyone to say "Oh, I didn't know."
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