Hopes pinned on biofuel

California's boldness stemmed in part from the attitude of its governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican who has been outspoken in his determination to combat global warming. " There are some issues in the world that are simply so compelling, whether in the United States or in the United Kingdom, that demand us to put aside our partisan differences and attack them head on, " Schwarzenegger told one British newspaper last month. " In California, we have spent much of the past year doing just that on global warming and other environmental challenges. We've even signed an agreement with Tony Blair to fight climate change together, across an ocean and a continent, because protecting our planet demands nothing less, " he said. The Automobile Alliance in a statement said car manufacturers were already working to produce more fuel-efficient cars. Arguing that it needed more time to study the complaint, it noted that a similar suit, which saw energy companies sued on public nuisance grounds, had failed. " Using nuisance suits to address global warming would involve the courts in deciding political questions beyond their jurisdiction, " the alliance said. " This opens the door to lawsuits targeting any activity that used fossil fuel for energy. " The lawsuit comes as California aggressively pursues a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. A law passed in 2004 will force carmakers to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 per cent. That measure is currently being challenged by car manufacturers. Last month the California state legislation approved a measure to force utilities to cut emissions, and the state has sued the federal government for failing to address the effects of global warming. " By curbing greenhouse gas emissions, we can devise new market-based mechanisms that spur innovation, collaborate on technology research and lead on an issue where the US government has been slow to act, " says Schwarzenegger. British business tycoon, Sir Richard Branson, joined the growing ranks of global warming activists last month by committing $3 billion to tackle climate change. The billionaire pledged all the profits from his Virgin air and rail interests over the next 10 years to combating rising global temperatures. However, the estimated $3 billion will not go to charities and will be invested in a new branch of Branson's ever-expanding Virgin conglomerate, Virgin Fuels. Much of the investment will focus on biofuels, an alternative to oil-based fuels made from plants. …