It has been a long time since I have taken back my unflattering comments about Arnold Schwarzenegger upon becoming the governor of California. Everything he does about global warming confirms my decision. Because he is a Hollywood star - a major one - with a direct line to the electorate, perhaps he does have the cachet needed to short-circuit traditional politics and it's embedded vested interests - like the fossil-fuel industry. He certainly is running counter to the Bush line on global warming and, as we can see by his latest move, he is recruiting like-minded leaders around the world in his campaign to tackle climate change square-on.
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has recruited an Australian ally in his plan to terminate global warming. Victorian Premier Steve Bracks "We have to take care of our world," Schwarzenegger told reporters after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Victoria to share environmental expertise. "We have to fight global warming." Schwarzenegger has been a leader in environmental reform in the US, overcoming resistance from President George W Bush's administration. California imposed America's first mandatory cap on greenhouse gas emissions, with emissions set to be cut by 80 per cent by 2050. Victoria, along with other Australian states and territories, have set targets to cut 60 per cent of emissions by 2050.
The MOU will allow California and Victoria to share expertise in climate change, develop emission trading schemes and carbon offsets and encourage the development of clean energy technology. |
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