EPA Warns of Global Warming, Spurs New Policy

The Environmental Protection Agency sent the White House a message today that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are detrimental to human health, Reuters reports. The "endangerment finding" may open the door for Washington to curb emissions that cause global warming. "I think it's historic news," one advocate said. "It is going to set the stage for the first-ever national limits on global warming pollution."

Democrats also hailed the move, which will likely lead to a cap-and-trade system that President Obama supports. An executive at the US Chamber of Commerce was less thrilled. "They're playing a very dangerous game with the way they're moving forward," said William Kovacs, who called Obama's plan to limit greenhouses gases a "risk." (More Environmental Protection Agency stories.)