Obama Targets Shift from Fossil Fuels to Clean Energy 

It’s official! The Obama administration has formally outlined its plan for cutting greenhouse gases between 26% and 28% by 2025. The project marks the beginning of a global drive to slash carbon dioxide emissions this year, and in the future.

What is carbon?

Carbon causes heat to be trapped in the earth’s atmosphere, which in turn causes global warming. Although scientist have warned that some effects of global warming are now inescapable, a hard-hitting global pact could still prevent the worst.

Read our article: What would happen if we stopped polluting today?

International negotiations set to combat global climate change 

The United States has taken a leading role in negotiations, signing on almost 200 nations. As the world’s second largest emitter, White House officials have said the pollution cuts could be made without impeding on economic growth.

Obama’s plan

The cuts that the Obama administration is planning focus on regulating a range of different areas. Here’s the general idea:

• Carbon pollution standards are being developed for both new and existing power plants. These will limit the release of CO2 pollution.
• The roll out of the toughest fuel economy standards for passenger and commercial vehicles the US has ever seen will save over 500 billion barrels of oil and an estimated $50 billion in fuel costs.
• Building standards are being developed which will target further energy efficiency.

A potential hurdle…

Republicans used the announcement to further criticize President Obama’s federal emission rules, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell warning other countries that Congress could block the promises the White House makes in the negotiations. “Our international partners should proceed with caution before entering into a binding, unattainable deal,” the Senator said in a statement.

United Nations Climate Treaty on the horizon

The U.S announcement shows the White House is trying to keep the climate talks on track as countries work towards a deal in December. Later this year other principal economies will submit national contributions to the cuts, followed by official negotiation meetings before the high-level Paris gathering where the United Nations will put forward a global climate treaty.

It’s a start…

Environmental groups are praising Obama’s plan to slash CO2 emissions, with Jennifer Morgan, director of the climate-change program at the World Resources Institute explaining that the project is “a serious and achievable commitment.”

However other activists, such as Lou Leonard of the World Wildlife Fund still maintain that the US should do more. “As the largest contributor to climate impacts already here today, the United States has a responsibility to lead and do its fair share,” Leonard said. “When compared to what scientists warn us is needed to avoid the worst impacts to our cities, our food systems and water supplies, the U.S. pledge falls short.”

Read about the benefits of air pollution control in our article: Air pollution controls 'lower respiratory illness death rates.