California not falling for climate nonsense

The Trump administration has long been a foe of any progressive environmental action. But individual states are making policy more in line with science. Recently, Jerry Brown, California’s governor, has accused Donald Trump of “gross ignorance” over global warming as he made his most dramatic actions yet to free California from the hazards of fossil fuels. As the world’s fifth largest economy, and with a huge and precious coastline to protect, Brown is not taking any of Trump's nonsense on climate policy.

Brown not only signed a bill that calls for 100% of the state’s electricity to come from carbon-free sources by 2045 but also authored an executive order requiring that California completely eliminate emissions across its economy, including transportation and agriculture, by the same year.

The order, which cites “historic droughts, devastating storms, torrential storms, extreme heat … and threats to human health”, requires California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions among several other measures.

Brown told the Guardian that California was taking the lead globally in confronting a problem that’s an “existential challenge” to the planet and claimed that Trump and his supporters are the main roadblocks to sensible energy policy.

“I don’t believe Trump represents the present but he has the power, he has the Republicans hook, line and sinker,” he said. “His unabashed acolytes will follow him over the cliff. Gross ignorance is dangerous. The battle is with Trump – that’s the number one fight. But once he’s out of there, dealing with climate change will still be a fight.”

Trump administration scraps regulation on coal emissions

The Trump administration has attempted to dismantle emissions rules for coal-fired power plants and slacken fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks. California has the ability to set stricter vehicle regulations than the rest of the country and anyone who remembers Los Angeles in the 70's can testify as to the effectiveness of clean air regulations. Brown has set a target of 5 million electric cars on California’s roads but said “at the rate, we’re going they will be made by Chinese companies and that will principally be the fault of Donald Trump. The American auto industry is on the chopping block at the moment he is chopping it into oblivion.”

The vision of carbon neutrality and the drastic reduction of fossil fuels planned by Brown has surprised even some environmentalists in a state that is a major oil and gas producer, as well as the nation’s agricultural leader. California will aim to soak up carbon through expanded forests, at a time when huge wildfires are a growing blight on the state, or inject carbon underground or in algal blooms – a technological challenge that has yet to be proven at a decent scale.

Brown sets the world standard for progressive environmentalism

Brown has formed a reputation for environmentalism, initiating one of the first ever tax incentives for rooftop solar during his first period as the state’s chief executive, which ran from 1975 to 1983. His second stint as governor, which began in 2011, has been marked by Brown instituting somewhat radical policies on climate change. He passed a law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels during a period of strong economic growth by implementing a carbon-trading plan that recently expanded in scope to help prevent deforestation overseas. Recently, his tenure has brought him into direct opposition to Trump. Brown has compared the president’s climate policies to falling off the top of the Empire State Building and said California will “launch its own damn satellite” if Trump halts Nasa’s climate research.

California is indeed an ideal place to install a solar energy system. For more information, please see our blog for more information.

HahaSmart Blog - More Solar Tips and Guide
HahaSmart News - Stay Informed
Your Solar Incentives - See Credits and Incentives in Your Area
Check Your Home's Solar Price - See How Much You Save
Register Now - Unlock The Lowest Solar Prices in Your Area