US: CO2 is a health risk

For the first ever time, the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA), has deemed CO2 to be a significant health risk.

The announcement was made on Friday via the EPA's website and explained that the agency now sees carbon dioxide as "contribute[ing] to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare".

According to administrator for the EPA Lisa Jackson, this confirms that greenhouse gases are "a serious problem now and for future generations".

Ms Jackson also stated that the solution to easing it will bring about benefits such as more green jobs and an ending of dependency on oil from overseas.

This classification comes after the Supreme Court ordered the EPA to decide whether CO2 is a threat to public health in 2007 and if so, what should be done to tackle further emissions.

Meanwhile, climate change is damaging soil quality by reducing the levels of phosphorous present in it, according to a study conducted by North Wyke Research.