A landmark in American politics was the Congress approving a bill that would curb heat-trapping gases that are linked to change in the climate. President Obama worked tirelessly for this because he believed that it was time that America confronted this problem and took up the challenge to do something about it. He clearly wants a clean-energy economy. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and former VP Al Gore personally appealed to those who were undecided. Of course this is only a beginning, because the issue has to be debated by the Senate, but a beginning it is, nevertheless.

The legislation is not 100% perfect, and there are many compromises, and there were many groups that did not support it or were divided about it, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel strongly endorsed the bill. The program is to commence in 2012. The goal to be worked towards is in two stages – in the first stage the greenhouse gases were to be reduced to 17% below the 2005 levels. This was to be effected by 2020. The second stage would show a reduction by 83%. This would be accomplished by mid-century. The bill included the production of renewable electricity. Billions of dollars were sanctioned for new energy products, subsidies for low-carbon agricultural processes, research on clean coal and the development of electric vehicles. All these would contribute significantly to the lowering of the greenhouse gases. It is time that America put her shoulder to this world-wide concern.