Alum Working to Implement State’s Historic Climate Bill

Alumni Stories
With the growing concern over climate change and because the lack of pre-existing federal regulations, California has struck out on its own to reduce its carbon emissions. The Golden State is known for being the country’s environmental trendsetter and is now setting the pace for carbon emissions policy with the California Climate Change Solutions Act (AB 32). AB 32 is a mandate to lower carbon emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and to have an 80 percent reduction below 1990 levels by 2050.

HSU Alum Richard Varenchik (’68), of the California Air Resources Board (ARB), is traveling across the state spreading the word about California’s new climate change initiatives. Part of his work also includes collecting input about how the state should implement the measures.

Varenchik was a newspaper reporter, photographer and magazine writer for 17 years before he began working with the state of California. He was the second full-time person hired for ARB’s new Office of Climate change in 2006.

Varenchik says he’s a perfect spokesman for the climate change outreach. “When I am in the office, I am surrounded by triple PhDs in Climatology and Air Chemistry and I can take all that science jargon and translate it in an understandable way.”

The AB 32 scoping plan will be adopted on Jan. 1, 2009, and policies should be in full swing by the beginning of 2012.
California recognizes that global climate change is an unavoidable issue that will affect everything from coastline to forest health to, yes, even wine. There have been past disagreements between California and certain industries due to the state’s progressive environmental policies, but California keeps pushing forward. “When we implement this we’ll have industry leaders coming to our meetings and screaming bloody murder. So it goes—we’re already used to it coming form the auto industry.” Varenchik says with a smile.

Contrary to what the industries are claiming, ARB feels that its new climate change policies will be a benefit to public health and actually increase incomes and job availability.

According to Varenchik, ARB does not want to seem dictatorial in its policies. “We don’t feel we should be telling people what to do and not doing it ourselves.”

Guidelines for the State are being laid out for green building, vehicle fleet cleanup, procurement practices and more. Even employees of ARB are encouraged to carpool and telecommute.

Because of ARB’s efforts to include the public and its insightful and creative approach to this daunting task, Varenchik is very optimistic about the success of the Climate Change Solutions Act and ARB itself. “The California Air Resources Board is very respectful of different talents and abilities and they utilize individuals’ skills. I really enjoy working there.”

For more information on ARB’s Climate Change Program and AB 32 visit the California Air Resources Board