Woohoo!

California passes Global Warming Solutions Act 4

Photo: AP/Rich Pedroncelli

After weeks of wrangling over the details, Fabian Núñez and the Democratic Legislature on Wednesday presented Governor Schwarzenegger with a bill he could not refuse (that is, if he wanted to give himself any chance at reelection.)

The new bill -- which I discussed in detail here and here -- will be settled Thursday when the Congressional session ends.

It is indeed a breakthrough piece of legislation, calling for a 25 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020 and controls on the largest industrial sectors, including utilities, oil refineries, and cement plants. And soon, California's passage of this bill will cause a domino effect prompting other states, other countries, and -- who knows? -- maybe even the United States government to jump on board.

And a shout out to my own assembly rep., Fran Pavley, who co-sponsored this bill. Proud to be your constituent.

Maywa Montenegro is an editor and writer at Seed magazine, focusing mainly on ecology, bidiversity, agriculture, and sustainable development.

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  1. julieann Posted 6:22 am
    31 Aug 2006

    Too Little, Too Late?Congratulations to California, but we need to move MUCH more aggressively if we hope to head off the worst of the looming environmental catastrophe!  Why not 25% in six, 50% in 10 years, 80% by 2020?  As a nation we have done much harder things in the past.  The technology is all available now to get the job done, and we are running out of time!

    It's past time we all got into the game!

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  2. Vincenze Posted 3:52 pm
    04 Sep 2006

    great news!I think this is a great pioneering step forward, and hopefully it will do just as you say... cause a domino effect.
    Vincenze.

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  3. coveark Posted 1:08 am
    05 Sep 2006

    California emissions I am so happy to see that California is standing up and taking the national lead in the clean air/ greenhouse gas battle. Praises to Governor Swarzenegger for stepping across party lines and moving toward a hopefully 'clean enough to survive', Earth.

     The real terrorists in our future are the companies and countries who are too greedy and too blind and stupid to realize that profits are nothing to a dead or dying civilization.

      I read several comments from the Sacramento Bee that were negative or at least cynical........well, if we simply 'nay say' and put down each idea as political or about money then we are joining those who we need to move over and let ideas that are new or not so new be tried. And for those who laugh at California, don't laugh, The most caring and smart and visionary people that I have ever seen in a very long life are Californians.

      Humans are stewards of this planet........we need to chip away at many of the old greedy ways and consider our options......there are none........let us care for our home for those who are young and living today and for future generations.

       Thank you California !!! and God Bless us all.

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  4. jbell1972 Posted 1:43 am
    05 Sep 2006

    A small step in the right directionCongratulations CA for taking the lead on this!  Or is it just rhetoric in an election year?  How many loopholes have been designed in to provide big business and politicians an easy way to squirm out of doing the right thing (again!).  At the end of the day the only way significant strides are going to be made is if the public push for it.  And every family has the ability to do the little things that count, whether it be turning off lights, saving water or using cheap, strong a reliable reusable shopping bags (http://www.cleangreenbags.com).  There is no excuse for apathy.

    Paper and Plastic bags are KILLING our environment - start using reusable bags today!

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