Arnold Schwarzenegger posted a statement on Facebook this Monday saying “I don’t give a **** if we agree about climate change,” pointing to the general health benefits of reducing the use of fossil fuels even if you won't believe the widely agreed science showing that humans are warming the planet.
In the post, he said: “Renewable energy is great for the economy, and you don't have to take my word for it. California has some of the most revolutionary environmental laws in the United States, we get 40 percent of our power from renewables, and we are 40 percent more energy efficient than the rest of the country. We were an early-adopter of a clean energy future.
“Our economy has not suffered. In fact, our economy in California is growing faster than the U.S. economy. We lead the nation in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, entertainment, high tech, biotech, and, of course, green tech.”
Schwarzenegger is currently at the COP21 Climate Summit alongside the current California governer Jerry Brown. Speaking in Paris to BBC News, he stressed the ability of technology and innovation to develop alternative energy sources without the need for a revolutionary change in culture.
He also added that cutting down on personal meat consumption could help cut carbon emissions: “28 percent of the greenhouse gasses come from eating meat and from raising cattle. My friend James Cameron, the famous director, recommends to stop eating meat. I think that's a good idea but people won't buy in,” he said.
“I think people will buy in to stop eating meat one or two days a week – you have to start slowly. It's a very big challenge but it doesn't mean it shouldn't be done.”
It may come as a surprise that such an impassioned statement on climate change came from the body-building Hollywood star turned politician. However, during his tenure as Governor of California, he saw through many moves to fight against climate change, such as eastablish the first U.S. cap on greenhouse gas emissions.
Check out his post in full below.
Posted by Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday, December 7, 2015
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