Arnold Schwarzenegger, action hero and one-time California “governator”, has sent a message to critics that could have come straight out of one of his movies.
“I don’t give a **** if we agree about climate change.”
In a note posted via his Facebook page, Arnie – who in 2011 was named Renewable Energy Leader Of The Decade by the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) – responds to those raising doubts about his crusade for a clean energy future and invites sceptics to answer three questions of his own.
“There are always a few of you … questioning the science of climate change. I want you to know that I hear you. Even those of you who say renewable energy is a conspiracy. Even those who say climate change is a hoax. Even those of you who use four letter words.
“I’ve heard all of your questions, and now I have three questions for you.”
Schwarzenegger then rips into climate doubters with comments on pollution-related mortality rates and the inevitable rise of renewables.
“I, personally, want a plan,” he writes.
“I don’t want to be like the last horse and buggy salesman who was holding out as cars took over the roads. I don’t want to be the last investor in Blockbuster as Netflix emerged. That’s exactly what is going to happen to fossil fuels.”
Arnold’s record on the environment is nearly as powerful as his record at the box office. As Governor of California in 2006 he signed the USA’s first cap on greenhouse gas emissions and instituted a statewide Solar Mission, which aims to add 2GW of solar capacity by the end of 2016.
“California has some of the most revolutionary environmental laws in the United States, we get 40% of our power from renewables, and we are 40% more energy efficient than the rest of the country. We were an early-adopter of a clean energy future.”
After an exercise in visualization, whereby critics are asked to choose between being in a sealed room containing either a petrol-fueled car or an electric vehicle – both with engines running, Mr. Schwarzenegger makes his feelings very clear:
“To use one of the four-letter words all of you commenters love, I don’t give a damn if you believe in climate change. I couldn’t care less if you’re concerned about temperatures rising or melting glaciers. It doesn’t matter to me which of us is right about the science.”
