One of the biggest barriers to greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions has been the practical question- what are the economic costs? California and the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo demonstrated that actual savings-- to the tune of tens of billions of dollars-- can be realized while reducing emissions. GHG reduction programs in these two states include electricity conservation, land-fill methane usage, ecosystem restoration, renewable resources, efficiency standards for buildings, and other innovative measures. A report published in December 2005, shows economic and health benefits acheived while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The document, No Reason To Wait, discusses the benefits of GHG reductions in Sao Paulo and California. These two states were able to take actions that went beyond "business as usual" to gain significant reductions in GHG emissions. Rather than the high costs often associated with emissions reduction, economic and health benefits were documented. Sao Paulo and California will cooperate in efforts dealing with air quality, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, renewable energy, public transit, forestry, and educational programs.
For over 30 years, California has been able to maintain a constant per-capita electricity consumption while the United States as a whole increased by 50 percent. The net economic benefits in California are approximately $1,000 per person and have saved $56 billion through 2003. WIthout the energy measures, air polllution from stationary sources would have been 50 percent greater.
The report is full of data supporting practical efficiency. More documents related to climate change can be found at California Climate Change Portal.
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