AB 42 was introduced by the California Legislature in 2006 as a way of controlling statewide emissions effectively. It's "cap and trade" program for organizations was not widely accepted however and has since faced considerable challenges from various quarters. The most significant challenge of all appears to be emerging as there are powerful calls for a voter referendum on the November ballot, trying to overturn AB 42.

California climate action proponents are against a clause within the state's November ballot asking voters whether or not AB 42 should be suspended. Supporters of the suspension suggest that the State's unemployment rate is far too high and will be aggravated should the legislation effectively add to the price of state energy.

A group supported by the oil industry has managed to raise more than 800,000 signatures, calling for the suspension of the Global Warming Solutions Act. This is well past the threshold requirement for inclusion on the ballot in November and it now seems that this question will, indeed, be asked.

AB 42 is an effective answer to the Kyoto Protocol and its cap and trade system is ready to start in 2012. California climate action calls for a reduction in emissions to 1990 levels within 10 years. The implementation of this program is the responsibility of the California Air Resources Board.

As AB 42 would be expected to add to the cost of conventional energy sources, the oil industry has been very motivated in helping to gather the 800,000 signatures created so far. They are not concerned with the calls that this legislation could create a significant number of "clean energy" jobs in place.

There have been many side effects of the recession and the events have certainly not been kind to supporters of California climate action. At the state or federal level, the recession has created opponents for carbon taxation or trading programs as instruments to help curtail global warming. Energy costs would be seen to rise and this could exacerbate the effects of the recession in their view.

Gov. Schwarzenegger appears to be about to do a u-turn and support the suspension of the California climate action that he signed into law in 2006. This development is much to the annoyance of environmentalists.

Even though AB 42 could face defeat in November, alternative versions will likely spring up in due course. Global warming is a problem that's not going away after all and every organization should ensure that they are on their own clear path to sustainability, reducing significantly their reliance on traditional forms of fossil fuel energy.