Despite near-unanimous consensus among scientists that global warming is a man-made disaster closing in on us faster than predicted, the U.S. government has been slow to adopt new policies, technologies or laws.

Comprehensive federal legislation is slowly emerging from the partisan debates but no end is in sight for a climate bill with enough teeth to take a bite out of the U.S.'s 25 percent share of global warming pollution.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is stepping up to the challenge with proposed regulation of large producers of carbon dioxide under the Clean Air Act. It requires all new major emitting facilities to use the best available control technology for emissions. This is a proven approach and has been successful with other types of air pollution. By focusing on the largest sources of global warming pollution, the EPA is making the best use of available resources.

The EPA must use its authority to put the strongest regulations possible on carbon from the largest emitters. Climate change science is calling for action now and the planet, its people, plants and animals are relying on the EPA to hear the call.

Lonnie Morris

Chairman, River Prairie Group, Illinois Sierra Club

Lombard