We Won't Let You Address the Problem Because It Is Too Widespread

In justifying its reasoning for disallowing California to adopt stronger clean air laws, the head of the EPA admitted that greenhouse gases present a threat to public health and that global warming is caused by human activity. This was the first time a member of the Bush administration presented these points. From a New York Times masthead editorial:

The essence of the administration’s reasoning was that California had failed to demonstrate “extraordinary and compelling” circumstances justifying stricter rules. To make that case, Stephen Johnson, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, was forced to argue that climate change gravely endangered not only California but the entire country.

-- Dylan Blaylock