Hightower Lowdown

Instead of recognizing the obvious—that global warming is fast reaching the tipping point where it becomes irreversible (and disastrous) —the Bushites continue to keep their heads up the tailpipes and smokestacks of the industries pumping out the greenhouse gases causing the unnatural warming. So, we're doomed, right? Not necessarily.

While Washington foolishly fiddles, officials at the state level have been springing into action. Unlike the White House, state leaders are up close and personal with the effects of global warming. These range from declines in the production of some crops to having to plan for rising sea levels along coastlines. So these officials have gotten serious about restricting the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases coming out of vehicle tailpipes, the second-largest (and fastestgrowing) source of globalwarming gases.

California has been in the lead and has adopted a rule that 10 years from now cars and trucks must have technology in place reducing the emission of these gases by 30%. No, scream the automakers, this will cause marketplace chaos, car sales will cease, the sky will fall! The industry refuses to support any restriction on tailpipe emissions of carbon dioxide, instead rushing to court to stop the California rule and to require that only the federal government can regulate these gases. Of course, that would maintain the status quo of donothingism. One environmental lawyer says, "We are going to become the dumping ground for the dirtiest cars made in the world. China will have more stringent standards than the U.S. in 2010."

Meanwhile, eight states— from Connecticut to Oregon —have adopted the California rule. For more info, contact the Union of Concerned Scientists at 617- 547-5552.