California leads US efforts to tackle global warming

California is set to introduce the toughest laws in the United States on cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The move could put pressure on George W. Bush to follow suit. A deal was struck between State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican like the president, and Democrats who control the legislature in California – the world’s 12th largest producer of greenhouse gases.

The measure, which is almost certain to win approval in a vote, aims to cut emissions by around 25 percent by the year 2020. While environmental activists have criticized President Bush for pulling the US out of the Kyoto Protocol on tackling climate change, California has already demonstrated its green credentials with Schwarzenegger making much of his record on the issue ahead of his November bid for re-election.

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