Symbolic climate change policy
In what amounts to a "go-it-alone" strategy to tackle perceived global warming, California will become the first state to impose a cap on all greenhouse gas emissions, including those from industrial plants, under a landmark deal reached this week, says H. Sterling Burnett, senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis. Under the agreement, California will attempt to reduce carbon emissions to 1990 levels over the next 14 years - a reduction of about 25 percent. Despite its ambition, the effect of the measure is largely symbolic. "California's actions will do little or nothing to prevent future warming, even if humans are a significant cause of the present warming cycle," says Burnett.

Effects of global warming legislation years away
The new global warming legislation could impact jobs and utility costs in the San Diego region. But any effects may be years away. Setting limits for greenhouse gas emissions may not have an immediate impact on the region. University of San Diego Economics Professor Alan Gin. "We'll be less affected than other regions in the state of California in the sense that we don't have a lot of heavy manufacturing type of industries that would be subject to big cutbacks in terms of their emissions. Residents will feel a ripple effect from the rules."

Aguirre takes aim at global warming
San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre yesterday issued a 36-page report that said the city should do more to reduce global warming and prepare for its effects. He pledged to identify existing laws that allow the city to target the causes of climate change and support the development of policies that aim to limit it. Aguirre joined a growing list of city, state and national figures who are concerned about the increasing volume of greenhouse gases caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

SkiCo joins global-warming lawsuit
The Aspen Skiing Co. joined an alliance of environmentalists, businesses, governments and other interests Thursday in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case to try to compel the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. SkiCo is the only ski area operator to file an amicus - or friend of the court - brief in the state of Massachusetts vs. the EPA beef that has simmered in the legal system since 2002.

Making Good on California's Global Warming Gambit
California's new greenhouse gas legislation signals a massive commitment to fighting global warming on the part of the world's sixth largest economy. But can industry rise to the challenge of what amounts to the nation's strictest curbs on carbon dioxide emissions? Not surprisingly, environmentalists contend that technologies and strategies already exist to meet a sharp reduction in carbon emissions from power plants, oil refineries and other sources. And better technology, they insist, will be developed as a result of the new law. "California is positioning itself to become the hub of a new clean energy economy based on solar energy, ethanol and other renewable fuels," says Bernadette del Chiaro of Environment California, a Sacramento-based group. "These will be the next Silicon Valley industries for California to export to the rest of the world."