State Department, EPA launch effort to monitor pollution globally

The Obama administration announced on Wednesday the expansion of pollution monitoring at diplomatic posts across the world. 

The State Department and the Environmental Protection Agency unveiled the joint endeavor on Wednesday in a signing ceremony, which highlighted the administration’s climate change agenda. 

{mosads}Secretary of State John Kerry identified air pollution as a “serious and growing health threat worldwide” and said he hopes the new program will encourage international cooperation to curb pollution.

The program will build on EPA’s AirNow system by setting up monitoring posts in various countries to improve data and information on pollution.

“Accurate, timely information on air pollution is absolutely critical,” EPA chief Gina McCarthy said on Wednesday.

The effort will provide the public and government officials with better information on air quality at embassies and consulates worldwide and how to reduce pollution and improve air quality. 

Kerry said monitoring systems will be set up in India, Vietnam and Mongolia in the coming months.  

“The possibility of an ambitious, critical global climate agreement in Paris later this year is now on the horizon,” Kerry said.

Roughly 200 countries are working toward signing a global climate change accord to slash greenhouse gas emissions. The White House is attempting to lead the way with multiple diplomatic efforts and encouraging action after signing a deal with China — the world’s No. 1 emitter — in December.

However, Republicans on Capitol Hill may try to fight the administration’s efforts to work towards  a treaty and undermine the deal with China.

Republicans argue the U.S. is doing too much compared with other countries and will hurt the economy, and kill energy jobs by proposing ambitious climate change policies.