Automobile efficiency -- The Clean Air Act of 1970 is somewhat outdated, and it has become apparent that even the 1990 update is no longer strong enough to reduce pollutants to the level of our technological ability. Regulations would force manufacturers to more aggressively work towards hybrid technology (Automobile Emissions, 2007).

Sustainable building materials/Green Building Codes -- The State of California leads the way in adopting sustainable building standards as well as green building codes. The 2008 legislation requires a 15% reduction in overall energy use in new construction (using solar, certified appliances, etc.); a 20% reduction in water use through low-flow appliances; and a 50% reduction in water use for landscaping. In addition, it requires environmentally sensitive building materials. Adoption of this nationwide would have a mitigating effect on ecological issues (Mandatory Green Building Standards, 2009).

Refuse reduction -- The EU has initiated policy initiatives to reduce refuse by requiring mandatory recycling, directives on landfills and incineration and the disposition of batteries, vehicles, and electronic equipment. Many localities in the United States have initiated similar legislation, but there is no national policy as yet. Such a policy would, indeed, go a long way to helping reduce the carbon footprint, especially in major urban areas, as well as overall...

Developing countries do not understand how the United States, as the world's largest user of carbon-based fuels, can dictate policy for their countries without stronger environmental policy domestically.
REFERENCES

Automobile Emissions: An Overview. (2007). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Cited in: http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/05-autos.pdf

Legislation affecting waste. (2005). Waste Online. Cited in:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/21130258/resources/informationsheets/legislation.htm

Mandatory Green Building Standards: California Leads the Way. (April 2009). Gordon and Rees, LLP. Cited in: http://www.gordonrees.com/publications/viewPublication.cfm?contentID=160

Levin Institute. (n.d.). What is Globalization -- A Student's Guide. Cited in:

http://www.globalization101.org/index.html.

Nordause, R. And Danish, K. (2004). Assessing Options for Designing a Mandatory U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program. BePress Legal Series. Cited in:

http://law.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1641&context=expresso

Speth, G. ed. (2003). Worlds Apart: Globalization and the Environment, Island Press.