If you find yourself surrounded by hybrid, hydrogen, and electric cars, row after row of solar panels, methanol fuel cells, waterless urinals, high efficiency HVAC systems, and low voc paints – you are either in a clean techie’s daydream – or at the Green California Expo sponsored by Green Technology Magazine. I was recently at the latter. Despite the economic situation, innovators of sustainable products, legislative agencies, and environmental advocacy groups proudly showcased the underpinnings of a green revolution. The attendees buzzed with energy as they soaked up inspiration from the morning keynote speakers, wandered among the exhibitors, and attended classroom break-out sessions.
One interesting educational session was led by Noel Perry, founder of Next10, a nonprofit group that has been funding some of the leading studies on the correlation between environmental policies, employment rates, and total sector economic growth in California. (See the reports page of this blog for a full analysis of one of Next10′s studies). The panel speakers discussed the state’s key piece of environmental legislation, AB32, a bill signed into law in 2006 which mandates a reduction in the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 (about 30%). The bill authorizes the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to create a detailed action plan, or scoping plan, which was completed last December. This legislation makes California the first state in the nation to enforce a comprehensive greenhouse gas reduction plan that reaches across all sectors of the economy. The full text of the 140 page scoping plan can be found here. The presenters assured the attendees that California maintains every intention of moving forward and achieving the items set forth in the scoping plan, regardless of the economic climate. The panel believed, relying on CARB’s own studies as well as those by Next10, that implementation of these measures will assist in stimulating economic growth throughout the state of California. And this exact ideology was the backbone for the mood I walked away with that permeated throughout the Expo: optimism with a touch of urgency – urgency that sustainability must be a part of the dialogue of rebuilding not only California, but our nation.
… Stay tuned for Part II - a summary of the Green California Leadership awards announced at the Expo!
Steve Sacks
