Governor Defines Modern Environmental Movement at Yale Climate Change Conference
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Today in front of an
audience of governors and top environment officials, Governor
Schwarzenegger delivered the keynote address at
the 2008 Conference of Governors on Climate Change at Yale University. With the centennial of
President Theodore Roosevelt's landmark 1908 Conference of Governors as the
backdrop, the Governor spoke about how the modern environmental movement
must evolve if we are to meet the even greater challenges that lie ahead. In
addition to his keynote address, the Governor joined several other governors
to sign a declaration calling for increased federal-state partnership in
fighting climate change. The Governor also met with Quebec Premier Jean
Charest today, who announced that Quebec is joining the Western Climate
Initiative (WCI). The WCI calls for a 15 percent reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions below 2005 levels by 2020.
Continuing to
build partnerships with other nations and states is critical to expanding clean
technology markets and reversing climate change. Climate change is a worldwide
problem that requires a worldwide solution. Coordination and cooperation with
partners throughout the U.S. and around the world is vital.
That's why the Governor is joining other governors in signing today's
declaration and why he is praising Quebec Premier Jean Charest for signing onto
an agreement in which California is founding partner, the Western Climate
Initiative.
With robust policies,
laws and innovation, California is leading the fight against
climate change.
- Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32): AB32 established a first-in-the-world comprehensive program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. The law will reduce carbon emissions in California to 1990 levels by 2020.
- Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS): California's LCFS requires fuel providers to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold in the state, dramatically expanding the market for alternative fuels. By 2020, the LCFS will reduce carbon content in all passenger vehicle fuels sold in California by 10 percent.
- Million Solar Roofs Initiative: The Governor's $2.9 billion incentive plan for home and building owners who install solar electric systems will lead to one million solar roofs in California by the year 2018, provide 3,000 megawatts of clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3 million tons.
- Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS): California's RPS calls for more energy to come from clean, renewable sources. In 2003, the Governor called for an acceleration of the RPS, pushing for 20 percent of California's energy to come from renewable energy sources by 2010 rather than 2017, seven years earlier than statute. This accelerated standard became law in 2006, when the Governor signed SB 107.
The Governor's environmental leadership is helping drive private investment and job growth. The Governor's sound, market-based policies have helped spur record private investment in California's clean technology sector, driving research, development and job growth.
- California companies receive more investment in clean
technology than anywhere else in the country. According to the Cleantech
Group, California's clean technology companies
brought in $1.8 billion in investments last year, a 50 percent increase over
2006. These investments represent 45 percent of total green investments in
North America.
- According to the Next10 "California Green Innovation Index," California patents account for 44 percent of all U.S. patents in solar and 37 percent in all U.S. patents in wind technologies.
- Growth in the clean technology industry boosts our economy and creates well-paying jobs. UC Berkeley research shows that the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) could generate a $74 billion increase in GDP and 89,000 additional jobs by 2020.
