Audubon California recently formed a coalition with The Nature Conservancy and Defenders of Wildlife to advocate for an aggressive approach to implementing the state’s landmark global warming legislation (AB 32, passed in 2006) that seeks to reduce California emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. This coalition is not only calling for the continued protection of birds, wildlife, and habitat, but also educating lawmakers about how our state’s great natural resources can play a critical role in our efforts to reduce emissions.

The California Air Resources Board is the lead agency for implementing AB 32. In June of 2008, the Board released a draft scoping plan that Audubon California and others hailed as an aggressive, yet realistic, plan for getting the state’s emissions down to 1990 levels. This plan accepts that in order to fully address the problem of global warming, we must seek change throughout the state’s economy.

The Air Resources Board is in the process of holding a number of public hearings throughout the state in advance of an ultimate decision on its implementation plan this fall. The next meetings are Aug. 8 in San Jose, and Aug. 15 in San Diego.

There's more about our work on AB 32 here, including what Audubon California and our coalition partners are saying at these public hearings.