A report that the governor of California and the British Prime Minister have agreed to work together on global warming is welcome news, coming just after a California heat wave that set a record.
An excerpt.
Governor, Blair sign climate deal
They pledge 'urgent action' to fight global warming.
By Peter Hecht -- Bee Capitol Bureau Published 12:01 am PDT Tuesday, August 1, 2006
LONG BEACH -- Declaring California and the United Kingdom partners in an international fight against climate change, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a unique accord Monday to develop plans to curb pollution and avert global warming.
The unusual summit, between the British leader and the governor of a state accounting for the world's sixth-largest economy, was hailed in a joint mission statement as a commitment to "urgent action to reduce greenhouse gases" and promote cleaner technologies.
"I think the evidence of climate change and its danger is overwhelming," Blair said, appearing with Schwarzenegger at the Port of Long Beach. "I think it is now very hard for anyone to dispute it."
Officially, California has no authority to enter into treaties with foreign governments, and the agreement announced by Blair and Schwarzenegger includes no binding requirements to reduce pollution. Instead, it is a joint pledge by Britain and California to share expertise, ideas and business strategies to respond to climate change.
