Letter from the Founder
Dear Friends,
Today, Next 10 is releasing the California Green Innovation Index, an analysis of key economic and environmental indicators which we developed over the last year with leading experts across the state to better understand the impact of green innovation on the economy and environment. We hope that the Index will play a strategic role, over time, by tracking the State’s efforts to meet California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). You can read the report’s key findings below and on our new and improved website (www.next10.org) also launched today.
| In this issue, read about: » Letter from the Founder » California Green Innovation Index » Next 10/Field Poll on Global Warming » www.next10.org » Our Office |
Over the last year, Next 10 has engaged in a strategic planning process that has focused our work on innovation and the intersection between the economy, the environment, and quality of life issues for all Californians. Our core work is to provide critical data to help inform the state’s efforts to grow the economy and reduce global warming emissions by commissioning research from leading experts on complex state issues. Over the last four years we have created and communicated highly accessible information through a portfolio of nonpartisan educational materials -- employing ‘out of the box’ means of engagement to ensure all Californians have access to the political process.
Our new website will feature an interactive section that explores the Index findings in-depth. We hope you find it engaging and informative. As always, we look to your guidance and appreciate your ideas on how to improve our work.
Finally, we are all deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend Nick Bollman. As most of you know, Nick was instrumental in the creation of Next 10, and we will miss his insight, honesty, support and leadership.
Best regards,
F. Noel Perry
California Green Innovation Index
Next 10 developed the California Green Innovation Index to gauge the state’s economic and environmental progress, and we uncovered some surprising trends. Over the past thirty years, California has been on a different path than the rest of the nation and the world. Through innovation, California has become a global leader in energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions – at the same time growing one of the largest economies in the world.
California Air Resources Board chair Mary Nichols commented, “I am very encouraged that the California Green Innovation Index will be a powerful tool to track the valuable lessons learned as California makes history meeting the mandate of AB 32.”
Chief among Index findings:
- As a result of the first wave of green innovation, which began in the 1970s, it comes as no surprise that California is more energy efficient and emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions per capita than the United States as a whole. However, California also emits fewer GHG emissions per capita than Germany, the United Kingdom or Japan.
- With the eighth largest economy in the world and one of the nation’s highest gross domestic products per capita, California’s per capita GHG emissions are less than one-half the rest of the nation and are lower than they were 15 years ago. Among states, only Rhode Island emits fewer GHG emissions per capita than California.
- Green innovation, combined with other factors, allow Californians to spend less on electricity and have more to spend on other parts of the economy than the rest of the nation.
- The average monthly residential electricity bill in California is less than half of the average monthly bill in Texas, representing a total savings for Californians of nearly $25 billion in 2005. As a fraction of the state economy, Texas’ overall electricity bill is almost double California’s bill.
- California building and appliance standards alone have saved $56 billion through 2003 and are expected to save another $23 billion by 2013.
- California utility programs and efficiency standards have reduced the need for 24 power plants between 1975 and 2006.
- California has established itself as a world leader in green innovation. California inventors account for 44 percent of total US patents for solar and 37 percent of total U.S. patents for wind technology. The state attracted 36 percent of total venture capital investment in clean energy, indicating our state’s leadership in the innovation of new technologies.
- Since 1990, green business establishments in the state have grown by 84 percent and employment has doubled. Growth in green establishments has been strongest in solar energy generation.
- California has fewer vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita than the rest of the country. While per capita VMT in the rest of the country has grown consistently since 1995, in California per capita VMT has declined in recent years, and is only slightly higher than in 1995.
While many of the Index findings illustrate the opportunities innovation can bring to the state, the Index also underscores the challenges that lie ahead. While California has made enormous progress, the state’s rate of population growth and impacts on fuel and electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions require that the next wave of innovation be larger, faster and more powerful than the last to meet the mandate of AB 32.
The Index was produced in partnership with Collaborative Economics, a Mountain View-based research and consulting organization that works with senior executives from business, foundations, government, education and community sectors to identify economic, environmental and social trends and promote regional innovation.
The California Green Innovation Index is available to download at www.next10.org. We also have the 10 Core Findings from the report available to download as a separate document in English, Spanish and Chinese.
Next 10/Field Poll on Global Warming
To compliment the California Green Innovation Index and to better understand consumer attitude in California, Next 10 commissioned a Field Poll, which was released November 8th. Survey results depict a citizenry more informed, concerned and ready to take action on global warming than the rest of the United States:
- 85 percent of Californians agree the state can reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and, at the same time, expand jobs and economic prosperity.
- 77 percent agree that firms and government researchers will develop new technologies to combat the problem of global warming.
- 90 percent of Californians believe California can be a leader in new technologies to improve efficiency and reduce global warming. (66 percent agree strongly.)
Additional poll results can be found in the Index.
www.next10.org
We are excited to launch our new website this week. www.next10.org is a trusted resource for nonpartisan materials on the critical issues affecting our state -- including the budget, infrastructure, and now green economy. We are focused on the state’s innovation and have been working on projects that intersect the economy, environment and quality of life. We hope you will visit the site today to learn more about the California Green Innovation Index.
Our Office
Next 10 has moved! Please note our new address:
575 High Street
Suite 310
Palo Alto, California 94301
We are also growing. Rishell Jordan has joined our staff as our new Administrative Assistant. We are pleased to welcome her as part of our team.