From action hero from the movies to a climate action hero. Arnie is a man of Action.

Enjoying the presence of an international audience and setting, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger opened with, “I love giving speeches here, I am not the only one with an accent!”

This being my first time seeing Mr Bodybuilder then Mr Movie Star and now Governor, Schwarzenegger, I was quite surprised to see his name on the daily COP15 program. What is Arnie doing here?? New movie launch? Terminating climate change? Well, he was here to talk about how California was taking on an active role in climate change and how national governments around the world could work internally to meet new climate standards.

According to him, world policymakers do not have to choose between a clean environment and economic growth. He further explained that as much as the Federal Government was important, mitigating climate change should be explored at sub-national levels.

Schwarzengger said “we’ve proved that over and over again in California.” California in itself is the 7th largest economy in the world, and what they do has consequences; “the power of influence we have is like that of a continent.”

Schwarzenegger said that people worried about climate change should pay more attention to companies, universities and “ordinary folks” and not put so much emphasis on a multinational consensus. (source)

“I always believed in the act of transformation. ((Bodybuilding? =D)) Movements begin with the people, not the government. And when they (the movement) become powerful enough, the government (will) respond,” added Schwarzenegger.

“I believe in the power of the citizen, the states and provinces.”

His opinion of COP15? It is already a success “as it has brought the World to focus to what must be done”. Though I must argue that we already know what has to be done but will we do it?

In closing he felt that the Kyoto Protocol made us think differently about the world and perhaps Copenhagen will lead us to a further rethinking of our world, one at sub-national level.

And it was great to hear him end his speech with, “thank you … thank you … thank you everyone and I’LL BE BACK.”

Nice.

Live from COP15
Ping
ECO Singapore

]]> http://youthclimate.org/terminating-climate-change-26592/feed/ 0 http://youthclimate.org/what-every-politician-you-know-wants-you-to-hear-1946/ http://youthclimate.org/what-every-politician-you-know-wants-you-to-hear-1946/#comments Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:29:49 +0000 Jake Brewer http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/?p=8710 ]]>

Every word below is a direct quote from the political leaders that shape the direction of our country.  The very people who ultimately answer to you.

It’s clear that they want to hear from you at Power Shift ‘09.  But don’t just take it from me. Watch for yourself

We need to change direction. Now.

Shift the power.

We have an obligation to take action.

What does that mean?  Well, we know that we have to act now because the first hundred days of the current administration are critical for our security.

We must make maximal use of that window of opportunity, to seize it and demand a bold energy policy: clean, green resources of energy and energy efficiency; for elimination of dirty coal – with exploration, wind and renewables.

That is wonderful!  That’s great!  So let’s set a new table for our nation.

Now … NOW is the time to stand up and speak straight from the heart.

This is a democracy – OUR democracy – and all voices count.

We have to hold our elected officials accountable.  All of these vexatious policy issues will be decided by the people.

And if you grab a hold of that thread and pull it, you can decide whether your representative is actually representing you.

Now imagine if the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the White House heard what you were saying and made a commitment to action.

Your politician cares about you.

Make your voice heard and lobby for a cause.  Come to Washington, lobby congress, and shift the power.

http://www.powershift09.org/lobby_day

The Power Shift Conference 2009 lobby day.  PowerShift Lobby Day on Monday, March 2nd.

Be there.

Posted in global warming