Improving air quality

This summer the EPA is expected to release its first ever rule to reduce climate change forcing carbon emissions in the United States. (Obama to push clean power in a big way, Aug. 3) I expect papers across the country to light up with dueling editorials about whether global climate change is the greatest threat to this planet or a hoax cooked up by the environmental community.

The same pollution control strategies used to reduce carbon emissions, be it energy efficiency, renewable energy, pollution control technology or all of these, will directly reduce air pollution. Despite the progress the U.S. has made in improving air quality, air pollution is still a serious public health problem. Ozone and particulate matter still cause too many avoidable asthma attacks, COPD exacerbations and even premature death in the U.S.

This story was originally published August 10, 2015 at 5:40 PM with the headline "Improving air quality."