In response to the Associated Press article, "U.S.: Gases must face regulation," in The Daily Collegian Dec. 8, the news that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will look to set caps on greenhouse gas emissions is inspiring and encouraging. As one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world, the United States has an obligation and an opportunity to lead the world toward a more sustainable future by capping our own emissions.
Right now, 190 nations have gathered in Copenhagen to take part in COP15, a U.N.-sponsored conference to address global warming. The United States has been criticized for not making strong commitments on climate change, and many have feared we would not be taken seriously in Copenhagen. The announcement from the EPA is a great step for the United States to take the lead in the climate discussions.
We're down to the 11th hour in terms of combating global warming. With thousands of activists calling for a fair, ambitious and binding treaty and 56 newspapers around the world running the same editorial calling for "decisive action," people around the world need to see a leader emerge in Copenhagen.
Where the United States was previously entering COP15 practically empty handed, with much stronger commitments coming from the European Union, the United States is now in a position to bargain.
Rose Monahan
sophomore
English and political science
