Barack Obama’s administration took a green step forward several days ago by declaring carbon dioxide is a danger to human health and welfare and more stringent greenhouse gas emissions regulation is needed in the near future.

This declaration alone clears the path for the US Environmental Protection Agency to regulate emissions under existing air pollution laws without the need for brand new legislation. In addition, it increases public notice and pressure on Congress to pass global warming-related laws.

And this isn’t just grandstanding or rhetoric: the US President has a deadline in place. He wants marked progress before the United Nations climate change talks in Copenhagen in December to signal the US commitment to change and encourage other countries, particularly China and India, to make much needed alterations.

This talk will undoubted cause a huge uproar by lobbying groups who stand much to lose.

Bill Kovacs, vice-president of the US Chamber of Commerce, said business will react very poorly to any attempt to “let the EPA run the economy.” He also said using the threat of EPA action to coerce Congress was “the worst possible way to make policy.”

So an upswell of bipartisanship arguing will no doubt ensue. But Obama’s declaration is movement on a front that desperately needs immediate, national and international attention. For all of us, as global citizens, this is indeed positive news.