Sept 27 - California Green House Gas Reduction Law Signed
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 32 (Núñez/Pavley) today with ceremonies in San Francisco and Los Angeles. California's landmark bill establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act that will create regulations and market mechanisms to help reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020.
"When I campaigned for governor three years ago, I said I wanted to make California No. 1 in the fight against global warming. This is something we owe our children and our grandchildren," said Gov. Schwarzenegger at signing ceremonies in San Francisco and Los Angeles. "Some have challenged whether AB 32 is good for businesses. I say unquestionably it is good for businesses. Not only large, well-established businesses, but small businesses that will harness their entrepreneurial spirit to help us achieve our climate goals. Using market-based incentives, we will reduce carbon emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. That's a 25 percent reduction. And by 2050, we will reduce emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels. We simply must do everything in our power to slow down global warming before it's too late."
Read the complete press release HERE.
Video: Climate Change Facts
CAW continues to be alert on the issue of climate change and its often overlooked connection to certain waste management techniques. Greenhouse gas emissions exist not only from cars, but from landfills as well. Landfills generate methane, a greenhouse gas (GHG) that is 23 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than the most prevalent GHG, carbon dioxide. This makes your everyday choices important as we must continue to reduce our waste and increase recycling rates.
What You Can Do:
- LEARN MORE about solid waste prevention and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint by visiting CAW's Living Green section.