Scientists overwhelmingly agree that in order to prevent the most devastating consequences of global warming, such as a 90% loss of California's Sierra snowpack, global warming emissions worldwide must be significantly reduced. Many scientists agree that reductions must be on the order of 80% by mid-century. In response to this warning from the scientific community, the state of California has shown national and international leadership in committing to reduce its global warming emissions to 2000 levels by 2010 (11% below business as usual), to 1990 levels by 2020 (25% below business as usual), and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Existing policies, such as California's landmark global warming emissions standard for vehicles and renewable energy and efficiency requirements will move the state half-way toward meeting the 2020 target. Additional policies are essential to get us the rest of the way there.

AB 32 codifies the state's goal by requiring that the state's global warming emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. This reduction will be accomplished through an enforceable statewide cap on global warming emissions that will be phased in starting in 2012. In order to effectively implement the cap, AB 32 directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop appropriate regulations and establish a mandatory reporting system to track and monitor global warming emissions levels. Additionally, AB 32 requires that CARB use the following principles to implement the cap:

• Distribute benefits and costs equitably

• Ensure that there are no direct, indirect, or cumulative increases in air pollution in local communities

• Protect entities that have reduced their emissions through actions prior to this regulatory mandate

• Allow for coordination with other states and countries to reduce emissions

Two recently released, separate and independent economic analyses show that significantly reducing California's global warming emissions is expected to create jobs and wealth in California. The State's top energy modelers found that 83,000 jobs and $4 billion in income could be generated in California by meeting the state's goals by 2020. Leading economists from UC found that eight policies can take the state over half way to meeting the 2020 reductions. These policies, such as cleaner standards for vehicles and capturing methane from landfills, can increase the Gross State Product by approximately $60 billion, and create over 20,000 new jobs.

California is the world's 12th largest source of carbon dioxide, the chief heat-trapping gas that causes global warming. The state has a responsibility to reduce its share of emissions, and by doing so can lead the United States-and the world-in developing the innovative policies and technologies needed to avoid the most dangerous consequences of global warming.