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California’s greenhouse gas planState shows the nation how to stop the warming
As smoke from forest fires filled the air in Sacramento yesterday, state regulators unveiled a long awaited draft plan (pdf) to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The fires — unprecedented this early in the West Coast summer — were a striking backdrop for the plan’s release. TV cameras and a packed audience greeted the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for the public presentation on how the state is going to implement AB 32, the landmark Global Warming Solutions Act. The plan calls for a mix of regulatory and market mechanisms to cut greenhouse gas emissions from 596 million metric tons (business-as-usual) to 427 million metric tons in 2020, or 30% from what would otherwise occur. The most important measures will:
CARB’s chair, Mary Nichols, is emerging as a hero in the fight against global warming. In just a year since Gov. Schwarzenegger appointed her to the hottest seat in state government, Nichols directed the talented CARB staff through a thorny thicket of political, economic, and environmental issues that could have buried a less capable leader. The result was met yesterday with generous praise from environmental groups and businesses alike. Most encouraging were comments from the venture capital community, which called the plan a guide to a clean-tech future for California. Many details on the global warming law still need to be worked out. Critics in fossil fuel dependent industries are sure to press for exceptions and delays. CARB will hold a new series of public hearings on the draft plan before formally adopting it by year-end. CARB board member Daniel Sperling, PhD, summed up the day when he said the state’s comprehensive, cost-effective greenhouse gas plan made him “proud to be a Californian.” Let’s hope this bright light in an otherwise smoky summer keeps shining through. Image by Randall Benton/Sacramento Bee. Comments
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Well, let's hope the other states get on the band wagon - and soon.
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Why can't our pathetic federal govt get something like this together? We can't wait for the states to individually decide if they want to implement changes such as these. We're a dirty disgusting country and only nationwide efforts are going to do a damn thing to change that.
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I agree that our governments Federal and State are not moving quickly enough and are tied to big oil, chemical corporations and such. But as I see it each one of us MUST push for change and make changes in our own lives. Not small changes that are of no inconvenience; but big changes, in our thought processes and especially in our actions. We are in a Republic and we are able to force the changes that we want to see...it just can't be business as usual for any American...as I see it. Each of us must understand our impact, bite the proverbal bullet and take a strong stand. I just read an article about Al Gore and his private jet flights and his utilities still shooting off the charts with CO2. I live in Tennessee where our rivers, streams and air is some of the worse in the country. Why because of coal and a complete lack of accountability. Who allows this...why we do as a State and as a Nation. Each time I have to purchase something, I question where it came from, what chemicals were used to make it and is it absolutely necessary. When I flip a switch or turn on something within my home I question do I reall need to turn it on, or can I go around and turn off and un plug more. My family buys with the environment in mind and with our health and our future in mind. I do not think that government will solve any of the problems we face today...only individuals can make the changes and force the issues that we need to force. Put your money into products that are environmentally beneficial, turn off the lights, change the bulbs, recycle all that you can, reuse everything that you can and ask questions. I rarely go into a store that I do not question why they do not offer this or that. My grandson says that he does not like to go to the grocery store with me because I always have to talk to the manager. I guess what I am trying to say is that there will be no change unless WE make the changes. Governments are directed by individual consensus.
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