Terry Tamminen, An American Green Leader

Terry Tamminen, Author of Lives Per Gallon Courtesy of Terry Tamminen

Named as an “Environmental Hero” by Time Magazine and ranked #1 in the London Guardian’s list of "50 People Who Could Save the Planet," Terry Tamminen, author of Lives Per Gallon, is a distinguished leader who has been a trusted advisor to U.S. governors and leaders on a global scale. In this Q&A, hear from Terry Tamminen as he explains how we can drop our addiction to oil.

Adam Busch, Co-Publisher & Owner, Green Space Today: What professional experiences have given you the needed incite to write Lives Per Gallon?

Terry Tamminen: 20 years in business; 10 years in environmental non-profits, non-profit grant making, and establishing environmental law clinics; and 4 years in government, including serving as Secretary of the California EPA.

AB: As an advisor to U.S. governors, what historic policies did you help create which have served to reduce carbon-based pollution in California and 30 other states?

TT:  My work in this regard started in late 2003 when I helped Arnold Schwarzenegger develop an “Environmental Action Plan” during his run for Governor. That Plan included a goal for reducing greenhouse gases, which we put into Executive Order in June 2005. That, in turn, became California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Subsequently, I assisted more than two dozen states and their governors of both parties to develop similar climate plans, laws and policies. I have also assisted these states in the development of three regional cap-and-trade programs to harness market forces to reduce greenhouse gases.

Terry Tamminen with Governor Schwarzenegger Courtesy of Terry Tamminen

AB: What accomplishments were achieved during your tenure as the Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency and Chief Policy Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger that have already made a direct, positive environmental impact for people and businesses in San Francisco and the Bay Area at large?

TT: The California Hydrogen Highway Network; the Million Solar Roofs Initiative; the State’s Green Building Initiative; the drafting and passing of AB32; and the Global Warming Solutions Act…to name a few!

AB: When America breaks its dependency on oil, how will America’s status within the global political community improve?  

Courtesy of Island Press and Terry Tamminen

TT: Our oil addiction has resulted in wars to secure oil in Iraq and other places; destruction of habitats and native peoples in places like Nigeria and Ecuador; and financial mischief that has held the world’s economy hostage. Ending that addiction can only change those policies and therefore our image around the world.

AB: Are tobacco & oil comparable products that are manufactured by similar, like-minded, companies?

TT: Oil and tobacco companies have both conspired to lie to the public and regulators about the science related to the harms of their products and made unprecedented wealth and profits in the process.

AB: How can America reduce and (or) lose its addition to oil?

TT: Two things primarily: first, make sure every American knows the true cost of our oil addiction in public health, economic slavery, and other impacts. People are smart enough to make changes when they know the truth. Second, end the subsidies of oil - the federal government alone subsidizes oil in terms of tax breaks and direct payments of hundreds of billions of dollars each year. Oil companies certainly don’t need this taxpayer largess and it distorts the marketplace, making clean renewable alternative fuels appear costly, when in fact they are cheaper.

AB: If the U.S. ‘kicks the habit’ by dropping its oil addiction, oil-rich countries in the Middle East will lose their greatest clients-Americans. Do you feel that without American demand, oil rich countries will carry on as oil producers & suppliers for their domestic energy needs that will ultimately continue to damage the planet?

TT: Oil is limited by Mother Nature, so sooner or later, even Saudi Arabia will need to power its economy with something other than oil. The good news is that oil producing countries already know this and most have created sovereign wealth funds to invest in other industries, including cleantech products. Now, it’s the American consumer and our politicians who need to wake up!