Gov. Brown Makes Plea To Fight Climate Change At SF Conference
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS / AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown told a green building conference in San Francisco on Friday that if the world doesn't address climate change more aggressively, future generations may have to consider moving to other planets.
The governor peppered his speech at the Greenbuild International Conference at the Moscone Center with his characteristic Latin, Greek and Bible quotes, but added the notion of interplanetary travel.
Brown lauded California's cap-and-trade auction for greenhouse gas emissions, which began earlier this week.
The Democratic governor said future generations will be living indoors or "on some other planet" if other states and the nation do not follow California's lead.
KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:
Brown said the Earth would face "catastrophic consequences" if politicians didn't face reality.
"Right now dealing with the environment seems like more of a luxury than a necessity. My message today is that these things all go together. A healthy climate, healthy environment, healthy individuals," Brown said.
Brown recalled the critics who mocked him as 'Governor Moonbeam' for his interest in solar energy some four decades ago.
"The people who both invented that term and disseminated it aren't around anymore, but I am," he said.
The governor added a dig regarding the recent election, telling the builders' conference that the party that "mocks common sense" is losing power coast to coast.
The governor seemed energized by his Nov. 6 victory, when voters approved his deficit-reducing ballot initiative to raise taxes.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
