美国环境署采取行动减少与气候变化有关的工业气体排放

US Environment Agency Moves to Cut Industrial Gas Linked to Climate Change

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new rule sharply limiting some gasses used in household machines.

The rule aims to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons, called HFCs, by 85 percent over the next 15 years. HFCs are industrial chemicals used in appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners. They also have other uses.

The Environmental Protection agency, or EPA, says the chemicals are greenhouse gasses. Such gasses trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. The EPA says HFCs are thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide in trapping heat.

The new rule is expected to take effect in late October. The EPA said in a statement that limiting the use of HFCs worldwide is expected to avoid up to .5 degrees Celsius¹ of global warming by 2100.

Gina McCarthy is the National Climate Advisor². She told reporters recently that the rule "really sends a signal to the rest of the world that we are all in on climate change."

The rule was announced about six weeks before the United Nations climate meeting in Glasgow, Scotland.

President Joe Biden has already issued an executive action aimed at climate change. Reports say he is expected to announce several climate measures through executive actions. Other climate proposals are in spending legislation being considered by Congress.

The EPA said the new rule is one of the most "consequential³" in its effects on the climate. Along with other measures, the Biden administration said the rule can reduce 4.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2050. That is equal to almost three years' worth of gasses released by the U.S. power industry at 2019 levels. Environmental and business groups supported the new HFC rules.

The Biden administration said it is also creating an interagency group to reduce HFCs, including preventing the illegal trade, production, sale or use of the climate-damaging gases. The group led by the EPA and the Department of Homeland Security will punish violations⁴ of the law.

The EPA rule also creates a complex trading system that permits some use and trade of the chemicals.

The rule brings the U.S. in agreement with an amendment⁵ to the 1987 Montreal Protocol⁶. That is an international treaty aimed at reducing chemicals that damage the Earth's ozone⁷, a layer of oxygen that blocks harmful solar radiation. The United States has not yet approved the amendment.

McCarthy said she does not know when Biden will send the amendment to the treaty to the Senate for approval.

Words in This Story

appliance — n. a machine, such as a refrigerator, stove or dishwasher, that is powered by electricity and that people use to do a job in their houses

consequential — adj. important; happening as a result of some earlier action

1 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

2 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

3 consequential   

adj.作为结果的，间接的；重要的

参考例句：

• She was injured and suffered a consequential loss of earnings.她受了伤因而收入受损。
• This new transformation is at least as consequential as that one was.这一新的转变至少和那次一样重要。

4 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

5 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

6 protocol   

n.议定书，草约，会谈记录，外交礼节

参考例句：

• We must observe the correct protocol.我们必须遵守应有的礼仪。
• The statesmen signed a protocol.那些政治家签了议定书。

7 ozone   

n.臭氧，新鲜空气

参考例句：

• The ozone layer is a protective layer around the planet Earth.臭氧层是地球的保护层。
• The capacity of ozone can adjust according of requirement.臭氧的产量可根据需要或调节。