Obama takes 'historic' step to tackle climate change

Monday (June 2nd) saw President Barack Obama unveil new environmental rules that will see emissions reduced across the US. The historic rulings aim to see pollution from power plants reduced by 30 per cent, indicating that a global deal to tackle climate change could be on the horizon. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formally announced the Obama administration's plans to see carbon emissions from power plants slashed. This is the first time any US president has taken steps to regulate air pollution created by plants, which are the largest source of emissions. By reducing carbon emissions, the US could significantly improve air pollution and work to stall global warming.

Power plants will have to take steps to reduce their emissions by 30 per cent from 2005's levels by 2030. According to the EPA, the new rules will not only help the fight against climate change and improve air quality, they will also see the US supplied with affordable and reliable power.

Gina McCarthy, EPA administrator, said the new rules are the cornerstone to seeing Mr Obama deliver his promise to tackle climate change.

"Climate change, fuelled by carbon pollution, supercharges risks to our health, our economy, and our way of life. [The] EPA is delivering on a vital piece of President Obama's Climate Action Plan by proposing a Clean Power Plan that will cut harmful carbon pollution from our largest source - power plants," she said in a statement.

Ms McCarthy underlined the fact that the US doesn't have to make a choice between a healthy economy and looking after the environment, stating that the new rules will improve both. Not only will the pollution reductions serve to improve the environment for the future, they will also lead to more jobs and more innovations being created.

While the rules have been viewed as positive by many parties, some environmental groups are disappointed that they are not as ambitious as it was hoped. However, most people have admitted that President Obama is taking steps in the right direction and following through with promises he has made to the nation and on an international front.