London, UK - 31 August 2006, 10:00 GMT - Countering Climate Chaos -- Government of California breaks away from US Federal Government to propose Anti-Global Warming measures

[Please note that the views presented by individual contributors are not necessarily representative of the views of ATCA, which is neutral. ATCA conducts collective Socratic dialogue on global opportunities and threats.]

The State of California is to impose broad caps on its GreenHouse-Gas (GHG) emissions under a landmark bill that marks a clear break with the US Federal Government and which backers hope will become a national model not just for America but also for other nations across the world. Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who helped assemble the plan, called Wednesday's agreement "an example for other states and nations to follow as the fight against climate change continues." California is America's most populous state and it is the world's 12th largest emitter of greenhouse gases. It could suffer dire consequences if global temperatures increase by only a few degrees Centigrade.

In the absence of US Federal Government action, much of the effort to combat climate chaos has been focused at the individual states' level. More than 100 climate-related bills have been held up in the US Congress in Washington DC, including one that calls for a US national cap on GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions.

The agreement was announced simultaneously by the California Governor's Office and Democrat leaders in the Senate and Assembly. It gives the Governor a major environmental victory as he seeks re-election this Autumn. The bill states that the California Air Resources Board -- an 11-member panel appointed by the Governor -- must identify "market-based compliance mechanisms" that might be used as part of its plan to reach the cap. The plan came after weeks of difficult negotiations and was sent to the California state Senate, which approved it late Wednesday with a 23-14 vote. If approved by the Democrat-controlled Assembly, which is expected, the bill would then go to the Governor's desk.

The bill requires California's major industries -- such as utility plants, oil and gas refineries, and cement kilns -- to reduce their emissions, ie, carbon dioxide and other GHGs, by an estimated 25 percent by 2020. The cap was praised by environmentalists as a step toward fighting global climate change. It was criticized by some business leaders, who say it will increase their costs and force them to scale back their California operations. Republicans blasted the bill, saying the bill would have little effect and make California an expensive place to do business. "This bill is the road to economic ruin for California," said Senator Dennis Hollingsworth.

One of the key mechanisms designed to drive the reductions is a market programme that will allow businesses to buy, sell and trade emission credits with other companies. California has led the United States in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through its renewable energy policies and a 2004 law reducing tailpipe emissions from vehicles.

Ten other states are poised to enact California's auto rule, while more than 20 states have required utilities to eventually generate some power from renewable sources such as solar, wind and geothermal. The bill includes a so-called "safety valve" sought by Mr Schwarzenegger that would allow California's Governor to delay the emission-cap mandate if the state is hit with a natural disaster, terrorist attack or some other emergency.

In addition to the emissions cap, California lawmakers voted to approve related global warming legislation. That bill would prohibit the state from entering long-term contracts with any out-of-state utility that fails to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions. The bill passed by a 43-30 vote in the Assembly. It goes to the California Senate for final approval.

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For and on behalf of DK Matai, Chairman, Asymmetric Threats Contingency Alliance (ATCA)

ATCA: The Asymmetric Threats Contingency Alliance is a philanthropic expert initiative founded in 2001 to understand and to address complex global challenges. ATCA conducts collective Socratic dialogue on global opportunities and threats arising from climate chaos, radical poverty, organised crime, extremism, informatics, nanotechnology, robotics, genetics, artificial intelligence and financial systems. Present membership of ATCA is by invitation only and has over 5,000 distinguished members: including several from the House of Lords, House of Commons, EU Parliament, US Congress & Senate, G10's Senior Government officials and over 1,500 CEOs from financial institutions, scientific corporates and voluntary organisations as well as over 750 Professors from academic centres of excellence worldwide.

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