The Conversation: Something in the air - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

California's commitment to limiting its emission of carbon and other greenhouse gases in hopes of fighting global warming is about to get real with the adoption as soon as Thursday of a sweeping plan that might ultimately represent the biggest government intervention in the economy in the history of the state.

The cars we drive, the electricity we use to light and heat our houses, and the location of our future homes, jobs and businesses all could be directly regulated by the state's powerful, appointed Air Resources Board. Industry, meanwhile, will have to find ways to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases or else face huge fines levied by the state.

The risk is great and the reward uncertain. Coming at a time when California's economy already is reeling from the collapse of the housing industry, the loss of tens of thousands of jobs and a general slowdown in investment and retail activity, the new policy will add higher costs on employers that could force some to curtail operations or even leave the state.

Fighting Co2 the Canadian way

A $123,604 voyage to the resort enclave of Nusa Dua, in Bali, Indonesia, stands out among the nine parliamentary association trips reported over the last two weeks.

At the end of April, four Canadian senators and five MPs and a staff of three began a six-day visit to Nusa Dua, site of the 2007 UN climate-change conference, for an assembly of the Interparliamentary Union.

Airfare alone for the Canadian delegation came to $95,642.