The legal fight over climate change begins in the United States with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977. Under the Act, the E.P.A. is required to publish a list of 'stationary sources' of air pollution, of which the most important are power plants.

Charles C. Mann’s quote traces the legal fight over climate change to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, which marked a critical step in addressing environmental pollution in the United States. The amendments empowered the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) to create regulations to limit air pollution, starting with the identification of stationary sources of pollution, such as power plants. This laid the groundwork for future legal battles over the environment and climate-related issues, as it established the legal framework for regulating air quality and controlling pollutants that contribute to global warming.

The quote specifically points out the role of the E.P.A., which was tasked with publishing a list of stationary sources of air pollution, a category that includes major contributors to carbon emissions like coal-fired power plants. This requirement set the stage for the agency to regulate these sources, and it became a critical part of the legal and policy discussions about climate change in the years that followed. Mann emphasizes how the Clean Air Act served as a legal starting point for the regulation of greenhouse gases and other pollutants that have a direct impact on the climate.

By identifying the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 as the beginning of the legal fight over climate change, Mann highlights how environmental policy in the U.S. has been deeply intertwined with legal frameworks. This law helped pave the way for future court cases, regulations, and political debates concerning the regulation of air pollution and the steps needed to reduce carbon emissions. The legal underpinnings established in 1977 have played a significant role in shaping how the U.S. has approached environmental regulation.

The origin of this quote lies in Mann’s broader work as a journalist and author, known for his deep dives into environmental and scientific topics. His writings often explore the intersection of science, policy, and history, with an emphasis on how legal systems shape society’s approach to pressing global issues, like climate change. The Clean Air Act, a foundational piece of environmental law, remains a key legal tool in ongoing efforts to address global warming and air pollution.