The most authoritative report providing a blueprint for how communities can tackle global warming was released today by the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The report is a guide to California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, or SB 375, the nation’s first legislation to link transportation and land use planning with global warming.

California made history in 2008 by passing SB 375, authored by State Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg and cosponsored by the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

“This groundbreaking measure shows us that where we live and how we get to work, go about our daily business, and take our kids to school matters a great deal in the fight against climate change. In fact, household transportation in California is the single-largest and the fastest-growing source of global warming pollution in the state. Locating housing closer to jobs and transportation choices and creating walkable communities can reduce commute times and cut millions of tons of global warming pollution, while improving quality of life.” — Communities Tackle Global Warming: A Guide to SB 375

But, as the authors of this authoritative guide caution, passage of the law (while an enormous achievement) was just the first step. The successful implementation of SB 375 depends on the actions of government agencies, environmentalists, developers, and local governments, among others.

Many around the nation are watching California as the state begins to implement this legislation. The success of California’s efforts is already influencing federal policies; for example, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES) includes a structure that tracks SB 375 by requiring regions to prepare greenhouse gas reduction plans, in coordination with their regional transportation plans. Additionally, policymakers in several other states have introduced legislation modeled on SB 375.

Sustainable development advocates have an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate that this planning process can work in many kinds of communities. In other words: If you care about the environment and smart growth, read this guide. After all, according to the authors: “SB 375 provides a new planning paradigm, putting California on the path to a new, more sustainable prosperity as well as a cleaner environment.”

Communities Tackle Global Warming: A Guide to SB 375 was written by Tom Adams, Chair of the Board of CLCV, and Amanda Eaken and Ann Notthoff of NRDC. The full report is available on the CLCV Newsroom and on the NRDC Web site.

More posts about SB 375:

• 6/24/09: CLCV Ed Fund and NRDC release “Communities Tackle Global Warming: A Guide to SB 375″
• 10/1/08: Governor signs SB 375, land use reform to reduce global warming emissions
• 10/1/08: Global warming, chemical bills signed; ports bill vetoed
• 9/18/08: Board President Tom Adams on KPFK
• 8/26/08: SB 375 Passes the Assembly
• 8/21/08: Why SB 375 is the Bill to Watch
• 7/2/08: SacBee Editorial Urges an End to Sprawl