President Obama’s plans to reduce carbon emissions by increasing fuel efficiency standards in the United States have sparked a heated debate. On the one hand reduced fuel consumption means less dangerous greenhouse gas emissions, and will help create a cleaner environment. But on the other it could prove to be a big ask for the US car industry, which is already struggling with the recession.

Allowing each state to impose its own standards for fuel efficiency will encourage reduced carbon emissions and is a long overdue first step by the US towards dealing with global warming. The issue was largely ignored by the Bush administration, though many people, including fellow republicans like California’s governor Arnold Schwarzenegger have been campaigning for these changes for a long time.

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