If greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase at the present rate, global warming will have a profound negative impact on Americans’ standard of living. The Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act is one of the few climate change bills currently before Congress that reduces emissions to the extent that many scientists say would be necessary to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. It mandates that U.S. greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to less than 2 billion metric tons – 80 percent of their 1990 level – by 2050. The bill would achieve this by placing a cap on emissions that is reduced over time. The Environmental Protection Agency would be authorized, although not required, to set up a system for companies to trade emissions credits. This legislation sets strict new standards for auto emissions and efficient electricity generation, and also mandates that 20 percent of the nation’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020. Finally, the bill provides investment in new technologies to reduce global warming.