Gov. Schwarzenegger Urged to Further
Promote Global Warming Solutions
LOS ANGELES— Environment California
joined with the Los Angeles Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council and
HydroFuture to release a new report, Global
Warming Solutions That Work, which details more than 20 examples of
cutting-edge policies and practices that communities, states and countries are
using to reduce global warming pollution. The report includes examples of California’s
accomplishments in making buildings more energy efficient and expanding the use
of solar power.
The emission reductions
science tells us are necessary – at least an 80 percent cut by 2050 – require
major changes in many areas of the economy, from the increased use of clean,
renewable energy to dramatic improvements in the efficiency with which we use
energy in our homes, businesses and vehicles. But solutions exist today that
can get us much of the way there. And communities across California – and around the globe – are
making those solutions a reality.
“This report amplifies the
hopeful message that we can tackle this problem,” said Jason Barbose, the
global warming advocate at Environment California. “We know what we need to
do. Now we just need to make it happen.”
Communities across America are
achieving impressive results in the fight against global warming. For example, today’s
news conference was held in front of the Luma Project, which along with the
neighboring Elleven Project, were the first LEED Gold certified condominiums in
California. The energy efficiency of these buildings
combines to save 2.4 million lbs. of carbon dioxide annually, the equivalent
energy use of 336 single-family homes.
Another example is
HydroFuture, an LA-based company that sells hydrogen boosters for diesel trucks,
which increase fuel economy and reduce emissions and air pollution. HydroFuture is considering building a manufacturing
facility in the LA-area to increase production of this emerging clean
technology.
“These local successes, along
with those outlined in the report, highlight the positive results of tackling
global warming,” said Barbose. “The good
news is that energy efficiency and clean energy technologies are a win-win for California’s environment
and economy,” said Barbose.
Environment California is working to ensure that Gov.
Schwarzenegger builds upon the successes outlined in the report by adopting
stronger clean energy policies and investing further in the transition to a
low-carbon economy. Next week, on June 26th, the Schwarzenegger
administration will release the state’s draft plan for slashing global warming
pollution more than 25 percent by 2020.
The Schwarzenegger administration’s plan for cutting global warming
pollution should include the following elements:
·
Polluters should
have to pay for their right to pollute under the state’s cap, and revenues from
the cap and trade program should be used to aid in the transition to a clean
energy economy and to reduce costs to consumers.
·
The state and
cities should make energy efficiency improvements and accelerated development
of renewable energy the centerpiece of their environmental and economic
development policies. Advanced building energy codes; strong energy efficiency
standards for buildings, appliances and vehicles; and mandatory targets for
renewable power generation and energy efficiency savings are among the policies
that can reduce global warming pollution and put the nation on a clean energy
path.
·
Global warming
and fossil fuel dependence should become central considerations in land-use
planning and public sector investment decisions. California should increase its investment in
public transportation and rail transportation to reduce emissions from
transportation.
“Only bold action can stave off catastrophic effects of global warming,”
concluded Barbose, “and so we urge Gov. Schwarzenegger to be bold in
transitioning to a clean energy economy and expanding green jobs in California.”
