04/06/2005 - California
governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared
climate change an 'undisputable threat'
and unveiled an action plan for his state
that would make California a 'world leader'
in action against climate damaging emissions.
"The 5th largest economy in the world
takes California further on the road of
innovation while maintaining a competitive
edge," said Hans Verolme, head of the
climate change program at WWF US. "By
promoting strong emissions standards and
clean energy solutions Governor Schwarzenegger
has put to bed the misconception that this
will somehow put California at a disadvantage
with Japan or China."
"Today, California will be a leader
in the fight against global warming,"
Schwarzenegger declared when opening the
five-day United Nations World Environment
Day Conference, the first ever held on U.S.
soil.
"I say the debate is over. We know
the science, we see the threat and we know
the time for action is now," he said.
The California plan calls for reducing
the state's emissions of greenhouse gases
to 2000 levels by 2010, 11000 levels by
2020, and 80 percent below 11000 levels
by 2050.
WWF welcomes the positive stance on fighting
climate change, coming from a leading US
politician. "Once more this shows that
many in the United States have recognized
the immense danger of global warming and
climate change, and efforts are becoming
stronger to act against this threat",
a spokesman for the organisation said.
