Advocates of federal action to address climate change had little to cheer about in 2010. The prospects may be even dimmer this year, with nearly every important committee chair in the now Republican-controlled House dismissing the threat of global warming or the human contribution to it. As Congress dawdles (散漫) and denies, some states are moving forward. Massachusetts recently announced a plan to curb emissions from homes, cars and factories by one-fourth below 1990 levels over 10 years—considerably more aggressive than President Obama’s commitment in Copenhagen to reduce emissions 17 percent below 2005 levels. The plan relies on existing technologies to produce more power from renewable sources like wind, tougher energy-efficiency standards for buildings and more investments in mass transit. Massachusetts will also benefit from its participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a 2008 agreement among 10 Eastern states, including New York, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. These emissions have already dropped dramatically in the region, in part because utilities have been switching from coal to cleaner-burning natural gas. The Massachusetts announcement follows California’s approval of a cap-and-trade program requiring 360 large enterprises, including refineries (精炼厂) and power plants, to gradually reduce emissions to help achieve a statewide reduction of 15 percent from current levels by 2020—just under Mr. Obama’s target. As in other cap-and-trade programs—including proposals that stalled in Congress—the plan will require each facility to reduce emissions or buy allowances to pollute. This should encourage industry to invest in cleaner technologies while raising money for the state and local communities to improve energy efficiency. The trading program was the last missing piece of a broad initiative signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2005. Among other things, it requires that an increasing percentage of California’s energy be generated by wind and solar power. It also meshes neatly with the state’s strict greenhouse gas limits on vehicles, which paved the way for the national standards adopted by the Obama administration. Other states and cities, including New York City, have embraced one or more aggressive strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. None of this is enough; a national policy would be much better. One hopes that Washington will get the message—before it’s too late. Why may the prospects of climate change resolution be even dimmer this year

A. Because Congress takes no action to stop pollution.
Because President Obama’s commitment is low in standard.
C. Because Congress disregards the threat of global warming.
D. Because emissions from homes, cars and factories are too large.