U.S. EPA issues final endangerment rule on emissions

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ruled Monday that greenhouse gas emissions threaten human health, a step that could allow it to take action on climate even if Congress fails to act.

The EPA said the ruling is a "prerequisite to finalizing" its proposed greenhouse gas emission standards for light duty vehicles.

The decision comes just as world climate talks in Copenhagen opened Monday.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner and Ayesha Rascoe)