I am deeply committed to protecting the environment. During my 30 years of public service, I have made substantial contributions toward safeguarding our environment for future generations. My environmental record, detailed below is a clear indication that you can count on me to be aggressive in developing and advocating for solutions to these and other challenges.

We must maintain the environmental quality of our Golden State. As Lieutenant Governor, I have used my position to advance the environmental research agenda at the University and leverage the role of the Lands Commission to protect the California coast, rivers, lakes and state land. In both roles, I am motivated by the central challenge of our time—reversing global warming and climate change. To that end, I will continue to propose policies and incentives to reduce green house gasses and to address the inevitable environmental changes already underway. I will seek the implementation of policies and incentives to encourage business and individuals to implement sound environmental practices.

My involvement with issues related to the environment profoundly shaped my lifetime of public service. I have brought people together around complex and highly-charged issues. I encourage the kind of dialogue that identifies solutions grounded in the common good. And, in the process, I awakened in all those around the table - whatever their short-term concerns - a life-long commitment to protecting the environment for our grandchildren’s children.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “The moral arc of history is long but it bends toward justice.” It bends toward justice when we commit ourselves to the daily work of caring for our planet. It bends toward justice when we have believed in the power of collective action. It bends toward justice when we, as a community, refuse to give up on the proposition that sparkling lakes and rivers, clear blue skies, and a majestic wilderness should be our grandchildren’s birthright.

As an Environmental Steward:

I take seriously my responsibility to be outspoken on perhaps the most critical issue that confronts the future of our state, our nation and our world: global climate change. I have given speeches across California, the nation and internationally on the need for us to make a serious commitment to this battle while we still have the opportunity to use conservation and reduce our use of carbon-based fuels to reverse or slow the effects of greenhouse gases on our environment. In March 2007, I was honored to deliver a keynote address at the Center for American Progress in Washington DC, entitled “Climate Change & Energy Policy: What California Must Do” and in October, I gave a speech at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on California’s response to the challenges of global climate change and the global lessons learned from California’s leadership.

No environmental challenge poses greater risk to future generations than global warming. While serving as Deputy Secretary of the Interior, I had the opportunity to work with Vice President Al Gore and some of our nation’s best scientists in preparing for the Kyoto Conference on Global Warming. The evidence detailed in the research was sobering. The growing international commitment to address the issue was inspiring. As Lieutenant Governor, I sit on the State Lands Commission and bring the benefit of the Kyoto experience to protecting California’s coast, rivers, lakes and wildlands. I will continue my deep commitment to safeguarding and improving the environment around us for future generations.

As a California Senator, Assembly Member & Lieutenant Governor:

I have aggressively used my positions as Chair of the State Lands Commission and as a member of the Ocean Protection Council to enact policies that will protect and preserve the majestic beauty and resources that make California the envy of the world.

I led the State Lands Commission to reject the proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal off the Oxnard/Malibu coast – because of the plan’s deficiencies in protecting the environmental health of our communities, the ocean and our shoreline; and because of the potential for this project to increase the creation of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change. I also developed and introduced a proposal that will require developers of the Baja Pipeline to examine and be responsible for the mitigation of adverse emissions arising from that project. I believe this will set a new standard for the state’s evaluation of LNG projects.

As a member of the Ocean Protection Council, I have championed a plan to greatly decrease pollution of our beaches, especially from plastic refuse, which not only sullies our beaches, but has dangerous effects on marine life. I sponsored a legislation package, the Pacific Protection Initiative, a flotilla of five marine debris bills to reduce ocean pollution.

I have also created an Adaptive Water Management plan which addresses the changing water needs of California, especially as they concern the impact of global warming on our water supplies. The plan will allow manipulation of our reservoirs and dams based on real time conditions – not a historical pattern which does not reflect the reality of today’s environment.

Lake Tahoe: I built consensus around the Tahoe Regional Planning Act, effectively blocking the expansion of the casino industry and limiting other incompatible development in the basin. I wrote the 1982 Tahoe Bond Act allowing the State to acquire private land in the Tahoe Basin and preserve it in its natural state.

Mono Lake: I sponsored legislation to protect the tufa formations and fought to stop the depletion of Mono Lake’s water supply.

Oxnard/Malibu Coast: I led the State Lands Commission to reject the proposed Liquefied Natural Gas terminal off the Oxnard/ Malibu Coast because of the plan’s threat to the environmental health of surrounding communities, the ocean and shoreline; and because of its potential to increase the creation of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change. I then developed and introduced a proposal that will set a new and high standard for the state’s evaluation of LNG projects.

Transportation: I sponsored Prop.111 that provided $18 billion for mass transportation and highways.

Energy Conservation: I authored California’s first solar, wind and energy conservation tax credit laws, rewarding the commitment and creativity of energy pioneers throughout the state.

Toxic Clean Up: I authored California’s first toxic clean up laws, giving communities the resources they need to return polluted land to productive use.

California Conservation Corps: Garamendi’s initiative established nonresidential California Conservation Corps satellite facilities throughout the state.

As Deputy Secretary, U.S. Dept. of the Interior:

Following my nomination by President Clinton, I was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn into office on August 15, 1995 as Deputy Secretary of the Interior. As second in command, I worked closely with Secretary Bruce Babbitt and quickly became the Department’s key troubleshooter.

Headwaters: I was the government’s lead negotiator in the effort to save Headwaters, a 7,500 acre ancient California redwood forest, bringing to an end the decade long battle between the Pacific Lumber Company and the environmental community.

Endangered Species: I brought the Riverside Habitat Conservation Plan to successful implementation after it had floundered for ten years. The Riverside Plan, which protects 66,000 acres of rare habitat in the rapidly urbanizing region, has become a national model.

Water Wars: I led the U.S. government’s CALFED negotiating team in a long-term process to restore the environment in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River basins and their deltas while meeting the water needs of farmers and the region’s rapidly growing cities. In what came to be known as the “Garamendi Process,” city leaders, farmers, fishing interests and environmentalists systematically worked to resolve their differences and adopt mutually acceptable plans and policies to implement the Central Valley Improvement Act.

Ward Valley: Garamendi’s efforts blocked Governor Pete Wilson’s plan to dump nuclear waste in the Mojave Desert’s Ward Valley.

Guam: I was appointed by President Clinton to be the Special U.S. Negotiator to resolve a series of long-standing issues related to the island territory’s relationship to the United States.

Tourism & Travel: Fulfilling the goals of the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism, I led the Interior Department’s efforts to more fully integrate the country’s natural, historic and cultural resources into the tourism and recreation sector of the economy.

Interior’s Workforce: Garamendi spearheaded efforts to improve opportunities for minorities and women within the Department of the Interior’s 70,000 person workforce.

As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer:

I formed a new team that is actively engaged in negotiating a peace settlement in the Congo. The team is bringing people together around an emphasis on environmental protection and the preservation of the nation’s five national parks with their incomparable flora and fauna.

Boards & Commissions:

State Lands Commission (2007-Present): As Lieutenant Governor, a member of this three-member commission which issues permits for, monitors and regulates all California state land holdings and navigable waterways. The Lieutenant Governor and the Controller serve as Chair in alternating years. The Lieutenant Governor began his term as Chair in 2007.

Ocean Protection Council (2007- Present): Member of this council that is tasked with coordinating efforts to improve the protection and sound management of California’s ocean and coastal resources. I have championed a plan to greatly decrease pollution of our beaches especially from plastic refuse, which not only sullies our beaches, but has dangerous effects on marine life.

National Park Foundation (1998- 2001): Presidential appointment to the board of this Congressionally authorized support organization for the National Parks.

National Association of Service & Conservation Corps (1998-2001): Board member of this national organization that represents 100 state and local service and conservation corps.

Natural Heritage Institute (1998- 2002): Board member of the non-profit environmental consulting organization that advocates protection of the environment and equitable solutions to complex environmental problems.

Operation Respect (1998-2002): Board Member of this national organization that Peter Yarrow (of Peter Paul and Mary) established to use music and art to address violence, bullying, taunting and disrespect among children.

International Fund for Animal Welfare (1998-2003): Board Member of the foundation of a worldwide organization dedicated to the conservation and care of animals.

University of California, Don Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, Advisory Board (1998-2003): Member of the board that advises the graduate school, located on five U.C. Campuses.