California on brink of global warming breakthrough

[Judi Lynn]

California on brink of global warming breakthrough
By Mary Milliken
10 minutes ago

SACRAMENTO, California (Reuters) - California is forging ahead with the most aggressive U.S. program to reduce global warming -- a plan that pits Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger against fellow Republican George W. Bush.

Both the governor and his state's Democratic-led legislature want to make California -- the world's eighth largest economy -- a model to follow with caps in greenhouse gas emissions that the U.S. president rejects.

State politicians still are hammering out differences over the proposed Global Warming Solutions Act. If passed, it is likely to play a role in November's vote for governor and in national politics for years to come.

Schwarzenegger -- branded "very green for a Republican" by the conservation group Sierra Club -- became an overnight hero for environmentalists a year ago by setting a goal to cut California's emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
(snip/...)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060817/ts_nm/environment_california_dc

[apnu]

1. even the CA groper can see the worm turned on BushCo

What's really sad is he'll be re-elected, I bet.

[Fridays Child]

4. It's a safe bet that re-election is Arnold's only objective here.

Are Californians smart enough to see that a Democrat in the governor's office is still the better choice? Let's hope the nurses and teachers (and other union members, no doubt) who were pissed off at Arnold haven't forgotten why he's wrong, wrong, wrong for their state.

[apnu]

5. Let's hope indeed

but this LA Times article doesn't paint a pretty picture for Phil Angelides

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2461690

[Raine]

14. Not a chance

that Democratic candidate Angelides can beat Arnie here in CA, the Democrats damaged each other too badly during their mudslinging primary.:-(

[cally]

16. I need to give credit to the Dems and Arnie for this one

Arnie has not been too bad on the environment even before he was close to re-election. This bill will set a standard for other states to follow and hopefully the US overall. It's very good news!!!!

[DemoTex]

2. Is that the sound of one hand clapping I hear in the Oil Patch?

I applaud wholeheartedly. But I'll bet BigOil does not.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Unfortunately this is only a political 'breakthrough'

as in - they're going to agree they have to do something about global warming. It's not as if their measures are going to be enough to stop it - even if all of the US adopted them. But they are a start, and so therefore welcome.

[The2ndWheel]

6. Ah, another plan to be in full effect by 2020

Don't actually do anything about anything now. That would be stupid. Oh yeah, not practical either. But it'll get done by 2020. Seriously. No, really. Vote for me.

[hatrack]

11. SSDD - I hear this a lot on environmental & energy issues

:eyes:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

7. More good news from CA -- hemp!

The State Senate has passed a bill that would allow CA farmers to grow hemp! The bill now goes to the Assembly for final approval, where it is expected to pass.

How cool is that???

I love living in CA. :loveya:

[theophilus]

8. Well, if hemp lives up to the buzz (sorry!) then other states will be

falling all over themselves to legalize it. It is going to be profitable to the max and show the way to many innovations and uses. I hope this gets off the ground soon!

[Hell Hath No Fury]

9. I think this has the possibility to revolutionize...

how many products are made. Any move away from slow-growing, polluting, or finite resources is a good thing. I'm sure some of the farms in the midwest would love to get in on the action. If only our idiot federal government would show a little foresight.

[cally]

17. Hi, speaking of hemp

Did you see the Lynn Woolsey clip on the Colbert report. (For non-SFBay Area folks, Woolsey is the congresswoman from Marin which is just north of SF) He asked her about hemp and other issues. It was laugh out loud funny. If you haven't seen it, be sure to watch at the end. Here's the link: :hi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f99zlgQuyfs

[madrchsod]

10. it`s already being done with every new building

being built in the usa. every magazine i read the green revolution is the holy grail of design...one new concept that is being used is to use fiber optic "panels" on roof tops to distribute light to the building`s rooms. many buildings now are planning roof top gardens that have proved successful in chicago. it being done with the new construction but the big problem is older buildings. the federal government could lead the way but according to the thing we have now ,we have to suffer in the heat and cold because there is a war on terror to fight.my war on terror is the next utility bill

[Ian David]

12. Something I suggested to my Congress-critters...

is to pass a state law banning any company drilling in The ANWR from conduction any business in our state. That means right down to the level of the local gas stations.

For example, if Exxon lays a finger on ANWR, Massachusetts would shut-down all Exxon stations in our state, forbid Exxon from selling gas to any station in the state, and freeze any of their assets that are located here. Oh, and we'd divest of all their stocks, too.

In other words, an official statewide embargo and divestment.

[kimmerspixelated]

13. My God!

Why does everything take so friggin' Long?! In 14 years, things could be way past grim. ....Oh, Have a nice Day!;)

[genieroze]

15. Better hurry up before the rapture gets here.

[Psephos]

18. The Terminator deserves some credit here

otherwise, why should he bother?

I think it's a good idea for progressives to provide some incentive to any politician who acts greenly, regardless of their affiliation.

Of course, I'll "incentivize" lefties with more alacrity than I will wingnuts. :-)

Peace.

[Bjorn Against]

19. Has everyone forgotten Arnold's role in getting the Hummer introduced?

Arnold personally lobbied them to make the Hummer a civilian vehicle, and he was among the first civilians to own one. In fact he owned several Hummers in the past and to the best of my knowledge still does.

Don't get me wrong I am glad he is doing something about global warming now, but it bothers me to see so many DUers fall for the line that he has been good for the environment when he is responsible for the introduction of a vehicle which has contributed so enormously to the global warming problem.

[autorank]

20. Judi Lynn, you had me going there...but it's just the headline... K&R

I thought there was some new technology to mitigate or reverse it. If it is developed, Califronia is one of the places it would happen.

I'm glad my native state is doing something about global warming. Why can't the rest of the country, i.e., the House and Senate, get off their asses and do something? Of, I forgot, they do take action - regarding comatose patients who should be left alone, wars that shouldn't be fought, and by the affirmative choice of noe investigating anything, Congress asserts that it endorses the massive corruption of the * administration.

Good for California and, hey, as much as I despise the guy, Arnold has gotten on board with two key issues near and dear to me - stem cell research and global warming. What on earth is the rest of the country thinking (and I include my current home)?

[jwdeviant]

21. By 2020? Okay.

Maybe if he quit cutting school funding we in the Golden State could get it done sooner?