Seven western US states and four Canadian provinces have agreed to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 15 percent before 2020. Proud of the Western Climate Initiative, Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger asserted:
We’re sending a strong message to our federal governments that states and provinces are moving forward in the absence of federal action, and we’re setting the stage for national programs that are just as aggressive.
So how will Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec curb climate change? To find out, read more.
The states and provinces will set a mandatory cap on greenhouse gas beginning in 2012. The cap will get smaller every year. All sectors of the economies, from transportation to housing to electricity, will be expected to cut and pay for emissions. Industries, however, will receive allowances for their emissions. One allowance will cover every metric ton of emitted heat-trapping gas, and allowances can be traded on a secondary market.
Are you happy to see the states coming up with climate change alliances, or would it be better if there was a united national plan?
Issa
This is great. We don't need to wait for the federal government to do everything for us.
1It's good that they're not relying on the feds, but aren't they worried about driving businesses to other states?
2I think it's a good start - and could work to force the government to take action sooner rather than later.
3i think that in the long run there needs to be a united national plan, however there are a lot of states that aren't early adapters without proved results, so hopefully with these states signing on to do this - it'll jump start others to follow suit so that we can have a larger all encompassing plan.
4Excellent.
This kind of initiative makes me proud to live in California.
5YAY!
6That picture of Ah-nuld scares me
7Why aren't more states doing this? I agree with others here that this is at least good initiative, and a great example that some of these states and provinces are putting forth. Hopefully, their results will help the federal government come around and push this on a larger level. It can only go global from there! As for driving business out to other states -- it doesn't, at least not in California. Many of the corporations based here don't have the resources or workforce elsewhere to pick up and move...also, there are several companies that have already pledged to emissions reduction on their own merit, without state guidance.
8Weird Manitoba is in on the list, which makes me happy, but i havent actually heard them announce any plans to be making this happen. Instead theyre talking about closing one of our main bridges to make it bigger so more cars can travel over it, and they want to put in a rapid transit system in that would only affect a small bit of the city. People are calling for a light rail system because Manitoba has hydro, and hydro is a renewable, cheaper, resource. Silly NDP.
9Exactly Jude, it makes me proud to live in Washington.
10I think this is very positive. Go Us!
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