America has taken historic action against climate change, with the US Congress voting to reduce the carbon emissions that cause global warming. The house of representatives has voted 219 to 212 to bind the US to cutting carbon emissions by 17% from 2005 levels in 2020 and 83% in 2050. It will also set up a national cap and trade system.The bill must still clear the Senate – where it faces even more daunting odds – before it can be signed into law. But the vote was indisputably an important victory for Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress. For Obama, it was a first step towards redemption of one of his signature campaign promises, within six months of coming to the White House. The vote also delivers an important boost to the prospects of reaching an agreement for international action on climate change at Copenhagen this year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/27/barack-obama-climate-change-bill/print