The Economist magazine reported that cap and trade suffers reduced importance in new US legislative proposals to combat climate change (March 20, 2010).  Cap and trade will apply to fewer industries, and in fewer ways.  Three reasons account for the change in approach:  the economic downturn reduces the ability of industry to bear the increased cost; the financial crisis undermines support for market mechanisms like cap and trade; public interest shifts away from climate change to other worries.  Recent polls show that younger people place significant emphasis on the climate and environmental issues.  Climate change takes a back seat for the moment; probably not for long.