Sometimes it just feels good to live in California.

I love the fact that Californians rejected Proposition 23 earlier last month that would have set back the most forward-looking framework to stop climate change of any state in the union.

Then our lame-duck Gov. Schwarzenegger writes a gem of a blog post. For one of the few times in my life, I can say I agree with every word a public figure has written.  And a politician no less.

After first pointing to the failed climate talks in Copenhagen, the Governator rightly points with pride at California’s rejection of Proposition 23 by an impressive 22-point margin.  It was obvious, as the Governor says, that Californians voted to send a clear message that we don’t want a dirty energy future.  We want a clean one utilizing the latest home-grown technologies that creates new businesses and jobs.

Then the Governor uses a term I haven’t seen before – “sub-national” – to describe the power and influence of regions like California when things are stymied at the national level. As he says in his blog post:

“…as the world’s eighth largest economy, California’s size and global presence has the clout to shape environmental change around the world. We may only be a little spot on the planet, but California, as a bellwether state and outpost of innovation, has the influence of an entire continent.”

He’s right on the money.  What I didn’t realize is that the Governor helped to spearhead a “sub-national public-private alliance that will work toward climate change solutions and building the global green economy” called R20 — Regions of Climate Action. As the press release from their recent gathering says, R20 is a global coalition of sub-national governments and private and nongovernment partners committed to “fast tracking the development of clean technologies, climate-resilient projects and green investment, and influencing national and international policies.”

I like it.  Especially because it is actually happening.  In this era, whether we realize it or not, all of us are spectators to a fight to the finish between the old fossil fuel industry and a young clean-energy industry. While many national governments have reacting cautiously to this grudge match, smaller government entities with big influence have made their choice which industry is the right one to back.

So while the rest of the country seems to have re-embraced the old fossil fuel crowd for now, California is going it alone.  Proud to be living here.

(Photo courtesy of California Energy Commission)