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Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Historic Legislation at Pepperdine
From a bluff overlooking the Pacific on Pepperdine’s Malibu campus, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed The California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) at a special ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 27. View streaming video of the AB 32 bill signing ceremony.
Pepperdine President Andrew K. Benton welcomed dignitaries and invited guests to the campus, noting that Pepperdine is situated in the home district of Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, co-author of AB 32. President Benton also personally welcomed Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky of the 3rd district, whom he said, “We are fortunate to count among our very best friends.”
President Benton noted that those gathered view their roles as stewards of the environment, “as a commitment worth keeping.”
In introducing Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, President Benton said, “His commitment to a better future for all Californians and especially California's children has earned respect and support from elected officials and citizens without regard to party affiliation.”
The bi-partisan bill is regarded as historic in California and proponents, including members of the business community and environmentalist groups alike, cite it as positioning California to lead an international effort to reduce the effects of global warming. According to published reports, California is the tenth largest emitter of carbon dioxide pollution in the world and scientists warn of the impact that global warming gases, including carbon dioxide from human sources, will have on the environment, the economy, and public health. Governor Schwarzenegger pointed out that AB 32 limits the state's global warming emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and institutes a mandatory emissions reporting system to monitor compliance. AB 32 also allows for market mechanisms to provide incentives to businesses to reduce emissions while safeguarding local communities.
As part of the signing ceremony at Pepperdine, Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Airlines, spoke to guests live from London via satellite, commending the Governor for his leadership on the global warming issue. Branson has personally pledged $3 billion to addressing the global warming crisis. At a similar bill signing ceremony earlier in the day in San Francisco, British Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke to guests also via satellite.
