Schwarzenegger on Global Warming

In a shot across the bows of President Bush as he goes to Europe this week for the G-8 economic summit, California's Republican governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has penned an op/ed column in Britain's Independent urging action to combat global climate change. The piece is basically similar to a speech he delivered in early June.

"The debate is over," Schwarzenegger writes. "We know the science. We see the threat posed by changes in our climate. And we know the time for action is now. ... Many people have falsely assumed that you have to choose between protecting the environment and protecting the economy. Nothing could be further from the truth. In California, we will do both. ..."

The governor ends his essay by saying "I ask citizens and governments everywhere to do their part by conserving energy, reducing the use of fossil fuels, reducing waste and taking every opportunity to work together for a cleaner, healthier tomorrow. It is not enough for us to be just caretakers of the world that we have been given, we must leave it a better place for future generations. This is our duty to those who share this world with us and to those who follow us."

It is always good to see a fellow Republican out in front on climate change, and Schwarzenegger's support for action more than welcome.