climate change > newsfile > big welcome for california�s global warming bill
Big welcome for California�s global warming billPosted: 05 Sep 2006
Environmentalists have given a big welcome to the agreement reached by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Republican Governor of California, on Thursday, for a state-wide cap on greenhouse gas emissions � a move that is directly contrary to the past policy of President George Bush, who pulled the United States out of the Kyoto protocol to set national emission targets.
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"I want to pump solar up," says Arnold.
Photo: California Resources Agency.
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"We commend California�s business, faith-based and legislative leaders who made this happen," said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense. "By capping emissions in California, world-class entrepreneurs can dispel the myth that reducing global warming emissions will harm our economy. This provides even more momentum for Washington to act � Americans want action on global warming."
"We�ve reached a tipping point in the fight against global warming,� said Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). �The whole world has been watching to see whether California passes this bill, and now the world will watch as California takes the lead in developing a clean energy market. California is an inspiration for all of us. Other states, the nation, and other countries would do well to follow California�s example."
"California�s action today is a watershed moment in the fight against global warming," said Jim Marston, a senior attorney for Environmental Defense who heads their efforts to address global warming at the state level. "States must lead in the absence of federal action on global warming. It�s no wonder that today 19 states and four former EPA [Environment Protection Agency] administrators also filed Supreme Court briefs to force the federal government into action on reducing our global warming pollution."
Market mechanisms
California senators voted 23-14 in favour of the energy plan after weeks of negotiations. It is expected that the Democrat-controlled assembly will back the plan.
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Almost 40 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions in California comes from passenger vehicles.
� US Environmental Protection Agency
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The energy bill would limit the state�s global warming emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and institute a mandatory emissions reporting system to monitor compliance. It would also allow for market mechanisms to provide incentives to businesses to reduce emissions while safeguarding local communities.
Under the bill, a panel appointed by the governor, will have the job of identifying �market �based compliance mechanisms� that can be used as part of its plan to achieve the cap on emissions.
The bill has been welcomed as a step towards fighting global climate change, but experts in the field warn that the goal of a universal carbon trading system may be a long way away. �What�s encouraging is that California and the Northeast states are definitely aligned in their views about the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions� said Abyd Karmail, senor vice-president of the carbon marketing consultants, IFC consulting. But, he told Reuters, �the challenge is fitting in with the various other initiatives going on (globally).�
California is the most populous US state and the world�s 12th largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
Sources: The Environmental Defense and others
Note: Environmental Defense and the Natural Resources Defense Council ( NRDC) are co-sponsors of the legislation and have worked along side Assembly authors Fabian N��ez and Fran Pavley on the global warming legislation.
Environmental Defense is a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 400,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. www.environmentaldefense.org
The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, non-profit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has more than 1 million members and online activists nationwide. www.nrdc.org
For more background information on the California bill AB 32 please visit: www.solutionsforglobalwarming.com
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