Will the EPA now try to regulate both beer bubbles and water vapor?

US rules global warming threatens public health

Washington - In a landmark ruling Friday, US President Barack Obama's administration found that greenhouse gases threaten US air quality and public health, setting the stage for new limits on industry emissions that cause global warming. The so-called "endangerment finding" by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had long been anticipated by environmental groups and marks the latest shift on US climate policy since Obama took office in January.

The ruling, which now has to be submitted for public comment for 60 days, would allow the government to regulate greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide under existing clean air laws in the United States.

"This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations," EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said in a statements.

Global Warming: A closer look at the numbers

Water vapor constitutes Earth's most significant greenhouse gas, accounting for about 95% of Earth's greenhouse effect (4).