Schwarzenegger Flexes Muscle on Climate Change

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order in June 2005 committing the state to reduce its greenhouse gases to 2000 levels by 2010. While this short-term goal is only about half as aggressive as compliance with the Kyoto Protocol would be, the governor’s longer-term goals are ambitious. California will reduce its emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, according to the order, and to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. “I say the debate is over,” said Schwarzenegger. “We know the science. We know the time for action is now.”