While the federal government grapples over its part in reducing global warming, California remains on the attack. Ever since passing the Global Warming Solutions Act, the Golden State continues to lead the nation in implementing programs that lower greenhouse gas emissions, with the intention of helping the planet.
On June 26, 2006, the California Senate Environmental Quality Committee approved
Assembly Bill 32, or the Global Warming Solutions Act, which made California the first state to cap CO2 emissions.
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Much like man-made global warming is still contested in Washington, D.C., the subject was has been hotly debated in California since. Here on six quotes in the debate on California's landmark legislation.
1. "We are sending a clear market sign to employ clean technology. There is no partisan divide on global warming."
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Fabian Nunez, then-California Assembly speaker and co-author of AB 32
Nunez cited the potential impacts of global warming on his state, including the coastline's vulnerability to increasing sea levels, reductions in snow that dictate the water supply, and health threats from more intense heat waves.
2. "I learned to appreciate the role that California can play. You know, we're a state of 38 million people — I like to tell people more than Canada, which is 31 million people. And we're the 12th biggest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions on the planet. We should do our fair share."
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Rep. Fran Pavley, 27th state Senate District and co-author of AB 32
3. "We simply must do everything we can in our power to slow down global warming before it is too late. It will begin a bold new era of environmental protection in California that will change the course of history."
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Then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, on Sept. 27, 2006, when he signed AB 32
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4. Schwarzenegger later added: "In fitness, the field I come from, it's all part of goals. You step on the scales and say, 'I weigh 220 pounds; I want to get my body weight down to 200. Here's the plan and how to do it, and I'm going to check every day (to see) if I get there.' That's what we're trying to do here with the emissions (of) greenhouse gases."
Earlier this week, scientists on a federal task force released a study that concluded that California's three-year dry patch was due to natural causes rather than man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
5. "It's important to note that California's drought, while extreme, is not an uncommon occurrence for the state. In fact, multiyear droughts appear regularly in the state's climate record, and it's a safe bet that a similar event will happen again. Thus, preparedness is key."
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Richard Seager, report lead author and professor with Columbia University's Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, told the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.
The report suggested that a naturally induced "warm patch" of water in the western Pacific helped form a high-pressure area that prevented moisture from coming into California.
Experts who disagreed with the findings felt the report downplayed other factors that were caused by humans.
6. "It completely misses any discussion of evapotranspiration and the increased drying associated with global warming."
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Kevin Trenberth, a climate scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, wrote in an email to
NBCNews.com.
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