Obama will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent

On Thursday, President Obama signed an executive order that will force the federal government to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent.

The Associated Press notes that Obama wants the U.S. to inspire other nations to help reduce man-made climate change. The executive order is Obama's latest legal action that counteracts Republican-led opposition to climate change legislation.

Obama toured the Department of Energy's rooftop solar panels on Thursday to emphasize the need to reduce climate emissions, and he will also speak with the government's energy suppliers that have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. AP notes that IBM, for example, has vowed to cut its energy consumption by 35 percent by 2020.

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"These are ambitious goals, but we know they're achievable goals," Obama said.