Schwarzenegger's foreign policy

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is continuing his foreign policy campaign, bypassing the federal government to help set international agreements on global warming, while a longtime friend and environmental advisor, Terry Tamminen, is consulting with the Canadian government about their carbon dioxide regulations.

In anticipation of Schwarzenegger's trip to Canada next month, British Columbia announced yesterday it would participate in a five-state Western carbon market where polluters can trade credits with greener companies. The idea is to have four or five Canadian provinces, and perhaps Mexico as well, joining the pact with California, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and Arizona.

Schwarzenegger also has signed a nonbinding agreement with Manitoba Premier Gary Doer to coordinate greenhouse gas efforts. The memorandum of understanding - signed like a peace treaty in Schwarzenegger's Santa Monica office - also expresses Manitoba's interest in joining the carbon market. To bolster his case, Schwarzenegger recently wrote Doer reminding him that the National Commission on Energy Policy in Canada has recommended that the U.S. government adopt a "California-like" low-carbon fuel standard.

In addition, Tamminen told a Canadian newspaper, several Australian states are expected to join the carbon-trading arena and that Schwarzenegger is hoping Mexico will enter as well. Tamminen, who left the administration last year to promote his new book on oil consumption, has advised B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell on setting up a climate change action team there.

"By the time the next U.S. president is in power, an international global trading market in carbon credits will be a reality," Tamminen told the Vancouver Sun. "This is essentially a progressive state and province doing something about climate change despite having somewhat recalcitrant federal governments."

When he visits the U.K. in September, expect Schwarzenegger to highlight his agreement with Prime Minister Tony Blair allowing California and the British government to share technology, research and "best practices" on curbing global warming. The governor may also head to John Muir's hometown in Scotland, Dunbar, which is not far from where Schwarzenegger is speaking to a conservative party convention. Schwarzenegger recently put Muir in the California Hall of Fame.

(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)