The issue focused on climate change because scientists believe carbon dioxide emissions have contributed to warming temperatures over the past century. Scientists predict climate change will contribute to rising sea levels and melting glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica. The EPA estimated that reducing greenhouse gases could reduce climate change risks by around half a degree Fahrenheit (0.8 degrees Celsius).

Opponents argued that cutting greenhouse gas emissions would hurt businesses. Opponents also cited scientific studies suggesting carbon dioxide pollution traps heat at Earth's surface. Opponents pointed out that NASA satellites