November 2007

Global Green USA President and CEO Matt Petersen explains Global Green's mission to shift society’s relationship with the planet.

With the passage of AB 1493 in 2002, California became the country’s leader on climate change legislation. Since then, California has met stiff resistance to the implementation of AB 1493 from the U.S. EPA, which has delayed a waiver needed by the state to enforce the law’s stringent tailpipe emissions requirements.

Los Angeles provides an interesting case study for sustainable urban living—in such a vast and diverse city, solutions don’t come easily. Proving the sincerity of its sustainability efforts, L.A. recently approved a green building code to supplement ambitious smart growth practices, and the city’s efforts to promote recycling has led the nation for years.

The L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has the daunting challenge of providing public transportation solutions for a region obsessed with the automobile. Added to the issues bred by such a stubborn cultural milieu are regional challenges such as the largest port complex in the country, poor air quality, and oscillating state funding for new projects.

With a constellation of regional airports, including one of the country’s busiest, LAX, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) will play a crucial role in the greening of air travel in the United States.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Conference of Mayors held its first-ever Climate Protection Summit—a chance for mayors around the country to parade their green accomplishments and challenge each other to do more.