More than 1,500 delegates and representatives from over 80 states, provinces and countries attended the conference. The theme was “Building the Green Economy.”

Governor Schwarzenegger addressing the Third Annual GGCS

Recognized as one of the most prominent meetings of regional leaders from around the globe focused on solutions for the climate and environment, the conference managers are working to develop their network of domestic and international collaborations. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said participants share strategies and policies about growing clean energy economies, reducing fossil fuel dependency, creating green jobs, promote green solutions and reducing pollution from greenhouse gas.

“I am honored to welcome so many leaders, experts and attendees from all over the world to our third annual Governors’ Global Climate Summit at one of California’s world-renowned universities — UC Davis,” Schwarzenegger said.

“With or without international agreements, the green revolution is moving full-speed ahead in states, regions and provinces. I have seen the power these regional governments carry in influencing and creating the new ideas that spur clean innovation, reduce emissions and create jobs, and this summit is an incredible opportunity to build on our subnational successes,” he added.

“Together, we are ushering in a cleaner, brighter and more prosperous future that we can be proud to pass on to the next generation.”

Adding to the achievements of the GGCS in 2008 and 2009, the 2010 event brought together leaders from all over the globe to work together to protect the environment. The conference promoters are trying to bring to the fore the worldwide war against climate change by joint actions aimed at reducing emissions and building clean energy green economies.

The summit hosted climate conversations among top leaders of local, regional, national and international interests, including academics, businesspeople and non-profit organizations.

Many regions throughout the world will be well-served by the event by learning the best practices, sharing knowledge and working to extend mutual interests through better understanding of each other’s special environmental and economic concerns.

The conference also establishes a platform for nations and provinces to hook-up with and influence the positions of their state governments ahead of the UN conference in Cancun, Mexico, later this year.

Promo Flyer for GGCS3

The UN Development Program and the UN Environment Program was a partner in the summit. UC Davis co-sponsored it and provided the venue. The summit was co-hosted by California Governor Schwarzenegger, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski.

“The clean energy path leads to millions of jobs, less reliance on fossil fuels and reduced greenhouse gases,” said Michigan Governor Granholm. “This summit is an opportunity to share with the world how we’re building a clean energy economy in Michigan as well as to learn from the experience of others.”

“In Wisconsin, we have no natural gas, no coal, and no oil,” said Wisconsin Governor Doyle. “Capturing even a fraction of the 16 billion U.S. dollars, our state spending on energy would mean billions of dollars in economic growth and job creation.”

“We’ve been really focused on building on our strengths in innovation and business to create real jobs in the clean energy economy, and as a result of our policies and investments, Wisconsin has seen a rapid expansion in renewable energy production and real growth in clean energy jobs,” Doyle added.

“Addressing climate change is critical to our global economic and environmental future,” said Oregon Governor Kulongoski. “One state, one nation cannot work in isolation. We must make regional, national and international commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to clean sources of fuel, and investing in the research and technology to move toward an energy independent universe.”

The summit took place at UC Davis. The university’s high profile track record of world-class research and development in environmental sustainability and green jobs was on display and touted by attendees.

UC Davis’ academic research, expertise and collaborative approach have been providing solutions to government, industry and advocates for decades on topics ranging from energy efficiency and biofuels to sustainable agriculture and health solutions for rural and developing communities.

“The politics of climate change have challenged science, so it is critical that universities like UC Davis — with 21st-century research and development units — uncover and deliver the facts so that the world’s opinions can flow from there,” said UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi.

“We are showing the way in research, innovation, stewardship and sustainability because we believe in those principles,” she added.

52 BP oil spill days and it’s still on.
How many years will it be ’till this mess is gone?
Barrels by the millions leaked into the sea.
Wouldn’t now be a good time for Clean Energy?

Political cartoon of a pelican joking about the 2010 BP oil spill

Day 53 and the Gulf’s oily sheen,
Makes me work to make more energy clean.

day fifty-four
and what is more
that oil spill hasn’t stopped
since that deep pipe first popped.

day fifty-five and the spill’s alive,
don’t worry, mother nature will survive.
it’s just the birds and sea life that may not thrive,
and whoever cared about them?
aren’t they just eye candy for people who dive?

Day fifty-six of the bp oil spill fix,
Obama visited the Gulf again and played political pick-up sticks.
He made the company promise to suck-up more oil,
Now watch the CEOs blood pressure boil.

Fifty Seven days of the Gulf oill spill mess.
it’s BP’s, not Murphy’s or Exxon’s or Hess.
Don’t worry, the suits say, it’s under control,
besides, costly cleanups are part of our role.

Day fifty-eight, BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill,
Last night Obama Addressed it, but it’s leakin’ still,
He promised we’ll soon be using clean energy,
Do you believe him now? He said it on TV.

Day fifty-nine and the oil’s spillin’ fine,
The BP Chairman cares for ‘the small people’, ain’t that Divine?
Obama’s gone Beyond Politics and strong-armed $20 Billion from BP,
Can’t you see the silver lining dancing around like the kids on Glee?

Sixty days of the BP gulf oil spill.
Yesterday wayward Hayward gave the hill a thrill.
“I’m afraid”, “i can’t answer that”, “i don’t know”, “i can’t say”,
and for all the political theatre, the crude poisons still kill today.

The BP oil spill’s in Day Sixty One.
Tony Hayward’s not having fun.
He got canned last night for failing
to cap all that oil that’s leaking.

Day Sixty Two of the BP oil spill.
Hawyard is making big gaffes still.
This time yesterday he was relaxing on a yacht.
Apparently his life back, he got.

As they spill oil in the water,
They’ll put more rigs on the water
We’ll be at shore and cleaning ‘em
We’ll fill our tanks with salt-free oil now

Day Sixty-Three and the oil out at sea,
Is coming to shore and it’s yours all for free,
Now if only you could separate all the fuel,
From the BP oil spill with which nature must duel.

Day Sixty Four, the well is spilling ore.
They said that it was less, and now they say it’s more.
If they don’t contain it soon, it will spill well past June,
And likely we will see, more BP oil at sea.

The oil spill flowed on Day Sixty Five,
The mess is huge, and less is alive.
Avoid swimming in the Gulf of Mexico,
Unless you like collecting tarballs as you go.

What’s all the fuss on Day Sixty Six?
The tar’s in the Gulf and it’s stickin’ to sticks.
If only that was all it was,
it might not kill birds and fish.

Spare a thought for the oily Hell of Day Sixty Seven.
It’s worse than they first admitted, it’s certainly no Heaven.
Unless of course you liked the oil-drenched chick from Spinal Tap,
in which case this is your Amp that goes up to Eleven.

Day Sixty Eight, ain’t life great?
So much for A-bomb fears, this cleanup will take years.
And believe it or not, many people have seen
problems much slicker than this one has been.

Day Sixty Nine,
was anything but fine.
The sheen on the water,
BP’s oil floats and shines.

Day Seventy and the slick is growing moment by moment.
Every day brings a whole new mega disaster.
It just goes to show you even the crude can be potent.
It’s time to channel Clean Energy, as would a good master.

Day Seventy-One,
BP’s cleanup isn’t fun,
The oil keeps leaking, and relief work’s stopping,
’till Alex the Hurricane unblocks the Sun.

The BP oil spill’s in Day Seventy-Two,
The Petroleum people say “This Leak’s For You!”
Don’t cry over spilled oil,
It’ll just make your blood boil.

Day Seventy-Three!
Is it time to jump with Glee?
They say they’re letting in foreign super-skimmers, to clean up BP’s oil now.
Maybe one, two or even more than three! Oh Alex, you Hurricane, don’t have a cow!

Day Seventy-Four,
BP is spilling ore,
They say they’re doing all they can to stop it,
While it just spills out more and more.

The BP oil spill is in Day Seventy-Five.
The gulf is filthy, though it’s alive.
The fish and birds are hoping that
a bad Summer won’t trim their fat.

Day Seventy-Six,
The Gulf of Mexico is full of slicks,
Most of them are men in suits,
And this problem they can’t seem to troubleshoot.

Day Seventy-Seven of the Big Petrol Oil spill,
Oh what A Whale of a thrill. The filth is like a homogenizes soup,
Getting filtered by a super skimmer.
Let’s all hope the boat is handled by a super skipper.

The permission slips came rolling in,
And now the super suckers are making the bad oil thinner.
If they keep working through the Winter,
The Gulf coast life will be the winner.

The oil’s been flowing for Seventy Nine days.
BP meanwhile says it’ll be some more months,
’till the leak is capped and they fix their ways.
Aren’t you glad the suits are taking no lumps?

Eighty Days of free oil spillin’,
Weighty ways of crude waves chillin’
the birds’ feathers and sea life’s killin’
the tourist economy as the Gulf’s fillin’
with BP pollution, ain’t that thrillin’?

Day Eighty One and the oil keep going up.
The mouths in Washington won’t shut up.
They say they’re doing all they can to help.
So why did they delay every step along the way?

The oil still spilled on Day Eighty-Two.
The poisons and costs are coming after you.
There’s really not too much to say.
There’s not much else that you can do.

Slick as Glee on Day Eighty-Three.
If it’s bad for you, is it good for BP?
Why can’t I see what I used to see?
The Gulf of Mexico is an oily sea.

Day Eighty-Four and BP’s oil flowed.
No time to waste, no folks to goad.
The zoots in suits are ready to explode.
Better get yer spillin’ cap on, ya toad.

Day Eighty-Five and the spill’s alive.
That’s not saying much if you’re sea life.
Sure, dolphins and pelicans in crude oil don’t thrive.
Just say Thank You they didn’t drown your wife.

Day Eighty-Six and the oil spill’s tricks,
keep rising up to surface and cover all the sticks.
You wonder and you hope that the end is getting nearer.
Just don’t hope that the capping of the well will be a fix.

On the Eighty-Seventh Day,
BP said All is OK.
They capped the leak and are now cleaning.
What lessons learned? What insight’s gleaning?

Day Eighty-eight, ain’t life great?
They say the oil’s making no escape.
BP’s monitoring and testing.
The folks are hoping and watching,
And now the good people in the Gulf,
Are dealing with the aftermath of April’s blast

Day Eighty-Nine and the Gulf is doing better.
Now the wildlife and people are sending BP a letter.
They are demanding to know when they’ll be eased of pain.
And how will they ever get rich off of oil again?

~~
The preceding poem was written by Sam Goodman of the Clean Energy Connection, during the Summer of 2010, while the BP oil spill was polluting the Gulf of Mexico.

Proposition 23 was the largest public referendum in history on climate and clean energy policy. Decided by almost 10 million voters, the defeat of Prop 23 was a key victory for the future of clean energy in California.

More than 61 percent of voters voted against Proposition 23. In other words, the measure was rejected by a margin of nearly a two to one.

A coalition of consumers, business, labor unions, public health and environmental advocates, Latino organizations, the NAACP, community groups, utilities, and even some oil companies, fought Proposition 23 together in a broad bipartisan effort.

Fronting themselves as a new united face of the environmental movement, this coalition promises a clean energy future for California.

US flag in green shades

An October 2010 Poll released by the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund showed that voters in 23 close Congressional races overwhelmingly support clean energy legislation and would be more likely to support candidates who do the same.

Upon looking further into the poll results, the NRDCAF polling found that voters are almost 20% more likely to vote for candidates who support a clean energy bill. While 20% may not sound like a large number, in a year where 92 Congressional races sit in the “lean” or “tossup” columns on The Cook Political Report, that number is a big deal. On top of that, a majority of voters (nearly 53%) in close races around the country said they were likely to vote for a candidate who supports a climate bill.

While the main talk of this mid-term election is the Tea Party activists and candidates versus the Obama “transformation of America” platform, the fact is that many Americans are today thinking about the environment and ways clean energy, renewable energy, green energy and alternative energy can be better implemented to make the world a better place, starting at the ballot box.

As many people have already pointed out, some of the leading beneficiaries of this season of Tea Party craziness are Republican candidates who hold extreme views on specific issues but nonetheless come across as moderate and reasonable when compared to the likes of Sharron Angle and Christine O’Donnell.

Case in point: Pennsylvania Senate candidate Pat Toomey. In a local radio interview on Friday, Toomey said the degree to which human activity is to blame for global warming is being “very much disputed” and “debated.”

Click Here to read the full article on The Washington Post website.

US Congressman Pat Toomey (R-PA) stumping a speech

One wit once cracked that we should be happy we don’t get all the government we pay for. In Florida this year, politics guaranteed we received even less than usual. No job creation initiatives. No business development programs. No renewable energy plan.

But as an election season long on viciousness and short on vision drags on, a glimmer of hope rose out of Orlando at the 2010 Summit Florida Energy Systems Consortium, where incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolis strongly hinted that the Legislature would convene in a special session to work on renewable energy legislation. The summit brought together researchers and educators from the state’s 11 universities and scores of representatives from the state’s burgeoning but hamstrung renewable energy sector.

Click Here to read the full article on the Polk County Democrat website.

Clean Energy Jobs map in Florida

WASHINGTON–President Barack Obama’s proposal that U.S. energy and climate policy may be implemented bit by bit means that companies will have less incentive to grow their green-energy businesses.

Obama told Rolling Stone magazine last month that following the Senate’s failure to pass comprehensive climate legislation that would have put a price on greenhouse gas emissions, energy policy may have to be done in “chunks.”

Click Here to read the full article on the c|net website.

President Obama speaking on clean energy

Piedmont Natural Gas chief executive Thomas Skains has a lot on his mind these days.

As gas production increases and prices drop, the Charlotte-based utility is rebranding itself as part of a clean, expanding segment of the U.S. energy market. Piedmont serves about 1 million customers in the Carolinas and Tennessee.

Skains also faces some troubling signs as Piedmont adds far fewer customers from new home construction than it did a few years ago, and a recent customer-satisfaction survey ranked the company at the bottom among large Southern gas utilities.

Click Here to read the full article on the Charlotte Observer website.

Natural Gas Burners

By Nina Chestney
LONDON | Mon Oct 11, 2010 5:18am EDT
(Reuters) – Clean energy funds are not basing investment decisions on United Nations talks for a new global climate pact because the discussions are too drawn out and uncertain, renewable energy investment fund Novusmodus said.

“Nothing I am investing in makes me worry about any of those kind of conversations,” the fund’s managing partner, Richard Nourse, told the Reuters Global Climate and Alternative Energy Summit.

Click Here to read the full article on the Reuters website.

clean energy investors forum - jakarta, indonesia

from: SustainableBusiness.com News

Masdar City, the $22 billion clean energy city being built near Abu Dhabi, is scaling back some of its near-term ambitions following a comprehensive project review.

The two most significant changes concern renewable energy supply and the city’s futuristic transportation system.

Instead of producing all of its own clean energy on site, Masdar may resort to purchasing renewable energy from other regions, as the city’s growth and power demand is expected to outstrip the development of clean energy production.

Click Here to read the full article on the Sustainable Business website.

artist's illustration of masdar city, abu dhabi