In the continuing battle against global warming, California seems to be taking the initiative among states in the U.S. Recently, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger addressed attendees of the Georgetown University Environmental Conference.
During his speech, he outlined his administration's contribution to the saving of the environment. He named two of the most notable steps that California has taken to address the increasing threat of global warming.
According to the "Governator" of California: "We passed a law to cap greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by the year 2020. That basically means we are rolling back the greenhouse gases to the 1990 level by the year 2020, and then we go 80 percent below that by the year 2050." Governor Schwarzenegger also added that: "I ordered a 10 percent cut in the carbon content of transportation fuels." Both steps shows that California is becoming one of the leaders in the battle against global warming.
"We are sending the world a message. What we are saying is that we are going to change the dynamic on greenhouse gas and on carbon emissions. We are taking actions ourselves. We are not waiting for anyone; we are not waiting for the federal government or for Washington," says Schwarzenegger. "We are creating our own partnerships. We are partnering with Great Britain, we are partnering with provinces in Canada, with states in the United States, with the western states, with the northeastern states. And you know something? Every year we are adding more and more partners to our team. We are increasing the momentum for change," he added further.
While the steps taken by the state is aimed towards the protection of the environment, the Governor did not make too many friends in Michigan. "Now, there's a billboard in Michigan that accuses me of costing the car industry 85 billion dollars. They say because of our new carbon fuel standards I cost them 85 billion dollars. The billboard says 'Arnold to Michigan - drop dead'," says the Governor. To which he added: "The fact of the matter is, what I'm saying is, Arnold to Michigan - get off your butt. Get off your butt and join us."
The Californian Governor affirms that they are doing what they have to in order to help the U.S.' car manufacturers. "In fact, California may be doing more to save US automakers than anyone else, because what we are doing is we are pushing them to make changes, to make the changes so they can sell their cars in California," says the governor. "And we all know - let's be honest - that if they don't change, someone will. The Japanese will, the Chinese will, the South Koreans will, the Germans will, they all will. So what I want to do is I want to prevent that from happening. I want them to sell their cars in California. I believe strongly in American technology, and I think in the end it will be technology that will ultimately save Detroit," continues Schwarzenegger.
Indeed, technology is what Detroit car makers are looking into to bring their companies back to profitability. Not even vehicles equipped with the components are enough to satisfy the country's need for fuel efficient cars.
