Arnold signs bill on greenhouse emissions

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill into law today to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state in an effort to combat global climate change. The new law calls for reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Fellow Republican governor George Pataki praised the move, and said states shouldn't wait for the federal government to act on this matter. British Prime Minister Tony Blair applauded the measure as well, and addressed the signing ceremony by video link.

"You are showing brilliant leadership that will inspire and excite a lot of people worldwide," Blair said. He expressed hope that leadership on the issue would come from "states within the United States of America" and "hopefully, in time, from the whole of America."