America has been under fire for a number of years due to the vast quantities or greenhouse gases emitted each year, which contribute towards the effect of global warming on the planet. Recently, Obama announced plans to attempt to reduce the domestic carbon dioxide emissions by 17 percent between now and 2020, in a bid to ‘put an end to the limitless dumping of carbon pollution’. The plan also included boosting the levels of renewable energy production on federal lands, and preparing communities for dealing with the increase in temperatures. In the past 15 years, we’ve experienced 12 of the hottest years on record. The plan put in place by Obama would bypass Congress, which has stalemated over climate legislation in recent years. But what exactly is Obama proposing in order to meet this deadline? The crux of this plan is built around a timetable which aims to limit the carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing power plants. 40 percent of these gases, and one third of greenhouse gases overall, come from electrical power plants.
The plan also hopes to expand development of renewables sources of energy, such as solar and wind power. Obama plans to generate enough electricity from renewable sources to power the equivalent of 6 million homes by 2020, which would essentially double the electric capacity federal lands currently produce. Greenhouse gases have been a prominent fixture of the media over the past 20 years, as scientists are fearing the worst when it comes to the effect they have on the planet. AS the heat of the globe rises, so do sea levels as the ice caps melt. This could be a danger for animal habitats and species, in addition to putting the human race at risk.
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