By Daily Press staff
Global warming is happening, and a strategy to deal with it was unveiled in Santa Monica last week.
Global Green USA on Friday released its “Community Development through Climate Protection” report, detailing inner-city investment opportunities that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
The report, available at www.globalgreen.org, was unveiled on the steps of Santa Monica’s City Hall prior to the inaugural climate hearing of the select committee on air and water quality chaired by Assemblymember Fran Pavley.
Global Green board member Stephen Schneider was on hand to testify at the hearing, along with Global Green president Matt Petersen.
“Solving the climate problem provides the opportunity to improve California’s competitiveness by increasing jobs and improving our health,” Petersen said.
The Public Policy Institute of California recently completed a poll showing that more than 86 percent of Californians believe global warming is happening and that California should do something about it.
Assemblymember Pavley and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger agree that California must take the lead in addressing the threats posed by climate change.
Global Green’s report explores several models that could provide economic incentives to urban communities.
Given the rising level of activity among both state regulators and large emitters of greenhouse gases, many observers believe that a comprehensive regulatory system covering greenhouse gas emissions will eventually emerge in the United States.
Global Green also announced the creation of its “Los Angeles Climate Strategy,” a model in which ownership of emissions reduction credits generated by reducing electricity use are transferred from utility companies to local communities, via municipal entities that control multiple buildings, such as school districts and housing authorities.
Global Green’s Climate Solutions were presented during the climate change hearing held in the City Council Chambers at Santa Monica City Hall.
Additional presentations were made by Dr. Alan Lloyd, California Environmental Protection Agency; Dr. Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute; Dr. Michael Hanemann, University of California, Berkeley; Dr. Dan Kammen, University of California, Berkeley; and Dr. Jason Mark, Union of Concerned Scientists.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 15, 2005. Read the original PDF.