Going Green

The environment has been a central debate point in the campaign for governor in recent weeks. Angelides has continuously rolled out the "immediate past president" of the Sierra Club. Schwarzenegger has made news with his joint accord with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on greenhouse gases, and his campaign released an online-onlycartoon ad slapping at Angelides record as a developer. The ad features a bulldoozer with the name "Big Business" plastered on the side moving various quotes around. So why all the fuss? Maybe the latest from the latest from the PPIC is the reason. The July Special Survey on the Environment shows a keen interest in the environment by the electorate (or, more precisely, the general public). Here's some of the key findings: Eight in 10 residents believe global warming will be a very (49%) or somewhat serious (30%) threat to California’s future economy and quality of life. Sixty-five percent of all adults and 70 percent of likely voters favor having the state make its own policies on global warming. The proposal to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 receives majority support from residents across all regions, racial/ethnic, and demographic groups. Seventy percent of all adults say they would seriously consider purchasing or leasing a hybrid vehicle, with 57 percent saying they would even if it were more costly.