考研英语阅读篇章呼吁减少碳排放_大学英语阅读

考研英语阅读篇章呼吁减少碳排放

　　This strategy has created jobs, grown our economy, and helped make America more energy independent than we ve been in decades-all while holding our carbon emissions to levels not seen in about 20 years. It s a good start. But for the sake of our children, we have to do more.

　　This week, we will.

　　Today, about 40% of America s carbon pollution comes from power plants. But right now, there are no national limits to the amount of carbon pollution that existing plants can pump into the air we breathe. None.

　　We limit the amount of toxic chemicals like mercury, sulfur, and arsenic that power plants put in our air and water. But they can dump unlimited amounts of carbon pollution into the air. It s not smart, it s not safe, and it doesn t make sense.

　　That s why, a year ago, I directed the Environmental Protection Agency to build on the efforts of many states, cities, and companies, and come up with commonsense guidelines for reducing dangerous carbon pollution from our power plants. This week, we re unveiling these proposed guidelines, which will cut down on the carbon pollution, smog, and soot that threaten the health of the most vulnerable Americans, including children and the elderly. In just the first year that these standards go into effect, up to 100,000 asthma attacks and 2,100 heart attacks will be avoided-and those numbers will go up from there.

　　These standards were created in an open and transparent way, with input from the business community. States and local governments weighed in, too. In fact, nearly a dozen states are already implementing their own market-based programs to reduce carbon pollution. And over 1,000 mayors have signed agreements to cut their cities carbon pollution.