Forests Forever Action Alerts

8/21/06

HELP CALIFORNIA BECOME A LEADER IN FIGHTING GLOBAL WARMING

California has an opportunity to enact sweeping legislation that would limit the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), introduced by Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles) and Fran Pavley (D-Woodland Hills) would make reductions in greenhouse gas emissions mandatory, giving force to the reduction targets issued last year by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The act’s objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state to 1990 levels by 2020 – a 25-percent reduction from current levels.

These limits would be implemented in stages. By 2008, the bill would require the state Air Resources Board to establish basic greenhouse-gas emissions levels based on the emission levels in 1990, against which to measure future emissions.

Beginning in 2010, the board would establish and enforce interim emissions limits that would progressively reduce emissions levels until the 2020 cap is reached.

The bill gives teeth to its provisions by requiring the board to enforce them and providing legal penalties.

The measure also would require the governor to establish an interagency task force to coordinate investments of state funds and state programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, promote economic growth, and make information publicly available to assist sources of greenhouse gases in meeting the requirements of the act.

Once thought by many to be merely a possible hazard, human-induced global warming has long since become a reality. The changes predicted by climate scientists will likely have a catastrophic effect on California’s air and water quality and put tremendous strain on its already stretched energy supply. The impact on important industries such as agriculture and forestry will also be severe.

Some critics wonder how much one state can affect what is a problem of global proportions. But California, with the world’s eighth largest economy, is also its 12th largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing its share of the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming, California can provide a legislative and practical model for other states to follow.

National leadership on this issue lags well behind world opinion and scientific consensus. The Bush administration has refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol or take any meaningful steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is up to the states, then, to take the lead on this urgent issue. The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, AB 32, would place California in the forefront.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

The bill has passed the Assembly and should go to the Senate floor soon.

It has aroused strong opposition from the oil and coal industries and the California Chamber of Commerce, so it is important that you make your political representatives aware of your opinion on this issue!

Let your state senator know that you support California’s fight against global warming. Write or call your senator and urge him or her to support AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act.

You can find contact information for your senator at:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/