Pacific Leaders Take Action On Clean Energy, Transportation, Ocean Conservation
from British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington have
signed onto a series of joint actions that will help create jobs,
strengthen the Pacific Coast economy, advance action on climate
change and clean energy, and protect the marine environment.
The actions were ratified today during the inaugural Leaders’
Forum of the Pacific Coast Collaborative. Established by British
Columbia’s premier and Pacific Coast governors in June 2008, the
collaborative’s founding agreement pledges the participating
governments to forge a partnership for leadership, co-operative
action, and a common voice on issues affecting the Pacific coast
region.
The meeting was hosted by Premier Gordon Campbell of British
Columbia and chaired by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of
California. Governor Christine Gregoire of Washington, and
Secretary of State Kate Brown representing the state of Oregon, and
Governor Ted Kulongoski also attended.
The forum took advantage of participants being in Vancouver to
attend the opening of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
“The agreements signed today are an important step
towards advancing North America’s West Coast as a global leader in
the new low-carbon economy, ocean health, renewable energy and
transportation,” BC Premier Gordon Campbell.
“I want to thank the governors for coming to British Columbia to
help us celebrate the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and
for continuing to work with us to build a strong economy and
sustainable region for our citizens.”
“The actions we are taking today will build a stronger economy
and a stronger environment for communities throughout the Pacific
region and beyond,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “The Pacific
Coast Collaborative has shown that by taking meaningful action and
showing determined leadership, the rest of the world will follow
the steps we are taking to build a better future. I want to thank
Premier Campbell, Governor Gregoire and Governor Kulongoski for
helping our entire region move forward through this important
collaborative.”
“Those of us here today recognize the challenges of a changing
climate and a changing economy,” Governor Gregoire said. “By acting
together, we can show the world that it is possible, and necessary,
to embrace solutions that address both.”
“These agreements demonstrate our collective commitment to
protecting the health of the West Coast’s ocean and the ecosystems
and economies that depend on them,” Governor Kulongoski said.
“Taking strong action now means a stronger tomorrow for our coastal
communities.”
Two action plans were signed by the leaders today: Innovation,
the Environment and the Economy; and Ocean Conservation and Coastal
Climate Change Adaptation.
The Action Plan on Innovation, the Environment and the Economy
sets out a series of co-operative initiatives to promote renewable
and low-carbon energy and energy conservation, including developing
Interstate 5/Highway 99 as a green transportation corridor. It also
promotes development of high-speed rail from San Diego to Vancouver
and the move to “Green Ports” through co-operation to reduce local
air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.
“We saw at Copenhagen that national governments
and the national community has not yet been able to come to an
agreement to reducing green house gas emissions. The UN and the
national governments have realized that the sub-national
governments are really the ones in the end who can put the pressure
on and engage the kind of action that is needed.” Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger
The Action Plan on Ocean Conservation and Coastal Climate Change
Adaptation focuses on co-operation on invasive species, reductions
in toxins and other pollutants, promoting sustainable fisheries
management and research into impacts from climate change and
adaptation options.
The forum also saw the leaders consider and release for further
discussion and public input a
target=”_blank”>”Vision 2030” paper intended to serve as a
living document for the Pacific Coast Collaborative.
The paper sets out a strategic vision for the future of Pacific
North America and regional collaboration. The objective is to
ensure that west coast jurisdictions achieve global leadership in
sustainable economic development - attracting new jobs and
encouraging investment and innovation while enhancing an already
unparalleled quality of life.
The leaders also unveiled a new, shared PCC website to
facilitate regional sharing of information and best practices
between governments and with citizens. It is online at:
target=”_blank”>http://www.pacificcoastcollaborative.org.
The documents signed today can also be found on this site.
Leaders welcomed Oregon Governor Kulongoski’s offer to host and
chair the next PCC Leaders Forum in November 2010
Source: www.pacificcoastcollaborative.org
