California Western Climate Initiative Questions with Derek Walker

 

Dear Andrew, California has already done what the U.S. Congress won't — taken decisive action to fight climate change. And the positive ripples from California's leadership are being felt by all of us. State and regional action to fight global warming is one of the most hopefuly aspects of today's climate picture. EDF's California Climate Director, Derek Walker, explains why. Read Derek's interview and share your own views in the Green Room. Even if you have never set foot in the state of California, you need to care about this. With the U.S. Senate almost certainly incapable of producing a climate and energy bill, the urgent strategy to stop global warming becomes a multi-faceted one. California, by itself the eighth largest economy in the world, has always been a leader in environmental protection — and global warming is no exception. In 2006, California passed a law requiring all state greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced to 1990 levels by the year 2020. That law in turn became the basis for a regional partnership including seven states and four Canadian provinces. The so-called Western Climate Initiative is in the process of setting up a regional cap and trade system for climate pollution, much like the one already operating in Europe. The even better news is that the Western Climate Initiative is only one part of a growing nationwide trend toward state and regional efforts to what Washington cannot or will not do. We spoke with Derek Walker, Director of the California Climate Initiative for EDF, to learn more about California's efforts, and the state and local approach to climate and energy action in general. Read Derek's interview and share your own views in the green room. Climate action today is much more than Washington politics. It's a  global mosaic of efforts that engage states, multi-national corporations, entrepreneurs, activists and others in a race to save our planet and change our energy future. Are we disappointed that Congress won't be sending a climate law to the White House? Yes. Does that end the race against time for meaningful climate action? Not even close. Thanks for all you do, Sam Parry Director, Online Membership and Activism Environmental Defense Fund 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20009 1-800-684-3322