The climate change bill requires industry to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and six other greenhouse gases by ca. 80 % by 2050. Even though weakend in implementation by the Republicans it certainly can be seen as a great first step finally imposing legal limits on US greenhouse gas emissions. On the one hand it seems incredible that we are only there yet, on the other hand having a closer look at the spent on lobbying on climate change it is a great achievement of common sense over profit. in January, the oil, gas and coal industry has increased its lobbying budget by 50%, spending $44.5m (£30m) in the first three months of this year to try to influence legislation, according to the Centre for Responsive Politics, which monitors the influence of money on Washington politics. According to the Centre for Public Integrity there are now about four climate change lobbyists for every member of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Exxon Mobil, for example, increased its spending on lobbyists in the first three months of this year to $9.2m, from $6.6m for the same period in 2008.
Having the US initiating processes like this and considering the ongoing negotiations with China (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/18/secret-us-china-emissions-talks) one may even allow themselves to feel positive about Copenhagen and call the Kyoto disaster history.
