The United States government has officially declared greenhouse gases a threat to human health.
The declaration means the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can order cuts in emissions without the approval of Congress. The US change of course under Barack Obama is regarded as an important signal. His predecessor George W Bush refused to agree to binding climate agreements.
Today is the second day of a two-week UN climate summit in the Danish capital Copenhagen. Representatives from 192 countries are striving for a new climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol.
Although the summit is not expected to result in a new protocol, there is hope that serious steps towards a new agreement will be made.
Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen says it is now time for action and has called on world leaders to show ambition, courage and vision.
Photo: Emission of greenhouse gasses (Flickr/freefotouk)
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