California Takes On Emissions

California's aggressive efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions are serving as a model for other states and other countries.

California is the world’s eighth-largest economy, so the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 has the potential to make an impact not only in the United States, but around the world. The law established a comprehensive program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all sources throughout the state.

Proponents succeeded in convincing industry groups that measures to address climate change — including energy efficiency, the development of renewable energy and alternative transportation fuels, and carbon dioxide emissions trading — would boost the economy and create thousands of new jobs.

In September 2009, California and more than 30 other U.S. states hosted the first Governors’ Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles, drawing some 1,200 participants from across the world. The summit focused on action being taken at the state and local level and how those actions are building environmentally sustainable economies while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Having been involved in the drafting of that law,” said Terry Tamminen, former secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, “I’m more confident than ever that action taken at the state and local level will have a significant impact on lowering emissions.”

Above, a driver fuels up his natural gas vehicle at a Clean Energy station in San Francisco.