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The article examines the policies of California Governor Jerry Brown related to climate change and air pollution. It compares Brown's efforts to reduce carbon emissions to those of other U.S. governors before discussing criticism that Brown has failed to enact policies that encourage a departure from fossil fuels.

Discusses politics and government in San Diego, California, as of March 21, 2005. Description of the mayoral campaign of Donna Frye, an environmentalist and progressive San Diego City Council member; Description of Frye's life and influence on environmental policy; Description of San Diego's movement toward a Democratic political culture; Controversy surrounding the legitimacy of votes that would elect Frye.

Discusses the factors that make California one of the most progressive states in the U.S. California's tradition of social tolerance; State's imposition of its own limits on greenhouse-gas emissions from automobiles, beginning with 2009 models; Bush administration's support to the auto makers' challenge of the rules; Decision of the State Treasurer's office to cease from making investments or doing business with U.S. companies that locate offshore to avoid paying taxes; California's adoption of the nation's first policy providing for paid family medical leave.

The article reports that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger disclosed the final version of the California Climate Adaptation Strategy document in December 2009, which made California the first U.S. state to take an official plan in climate change adaptation. It relates that Schwarzenegger's executive order in 2008 initiated the establishment of the initiative. It mentions that the document can be downloaded at www.climatechange.ca.gov/adaptation/.