Pollution Essay: Climate Change

800 Words2 Pages

Homes, towns, cities, states, nations, and countries around the world are all addressing the issue of global climate change. Individuals are beginning to realize the importance of greenhouse gas emissions and keeping our environment clean. Towns and cities are implementing new conservation programs, energy saving incentives, and many other environment-friendly initiatives. On the federal level, the U.S. government under President Bush, launched a “historic initiative [that] brings together the resources and expertise of thirteen federal agencies.” (2) The Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) is aimed at solving some of the major aspects of climate change, such as expanding the knowledge of the climate, advancing climate change science, and improving on existing technology. Countries around the world are cooperating together to improve the climate change situation as well. Together we are taking the initiative to improve our surrounding environment.

The U.S in particular has aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 18% over the next ten years. Climate change research and technology will also increase especially as the president’s 2003 budget reported a $700 million increase in funding for climate change-related programs (1). In addition, the President has issued reforms to “ensure that businesses that register voluntary reductions are not penalized under a future climate policy, and give credit to companies that can show real emissions reductions” (2). The U.S. has also initiated improvements in the transportation industry. There are exisiting tax incentives in place for buyers of cleaner emissions cars, like the Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid (gas and electric), the Toyota Prius, or other clean-fuel vehicles (3). Clean-fuel vehicles are defined as motor vehicles designed to be propelled by one of the following fuels:

- Natural gas

- Liquified natural gas (LNG)

- Liquified petroleum gas (LPG)

- Hydrogen

- Electricity (e.g., some gasoline/electric hybrids)

- Any other fuel that is at least 85% alcohol or ether (e.g., E85) (3).

On January 9, 2002, U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham announced a new public-private partnership between the Energy Department and the nation's major automakers to promote the development of hydrogen as a primary fuel for cars and trucks. The Freedom CAR (Cooperative Automotive Research) would allow for hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles that emit no harmful air pollutants, only water if pure hydrogen is used (5). The Freedom CAR project replaces the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) which pushed the development of hybrid gasoline-electric cars.

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