California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger participates in the Lunch Panel: A Discussion with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 2008 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California April 30, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    LOS ANGELES, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The United States needs leadership, not politics, to fight climate change, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said Friday.

    "When it comes to climate change and protecting our environment, what the people want is leadership, not politics -- but that's exactly what the Senate gave them by failing to act on this climate change legislation," Schwarzenegger said after Senate Republicans on Friday blocked a global warming bill that would have required major reductions in greenhouse gases.

    Democratic leaders fell a dozen votes short of getting the 60 needed to end a Republican filibuster on the measure and bring the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act up for a vote, prompting majority leader Harry Reid to pull the legislation from consideration.

    "Washington has failed the people and our environment once again, but California will continue to lead the fight against global warming, with or without Washington," said Schwarzenegger, himself a Republican.

    "I'm hopeful that with the leadership of Senators (John) Warner and (Joe) Lieberman, and our senators from California, (Barbara) Boxer and (Dianne) Feinstein, Congress can build upon the clear momentum in this country for action on global warming," he added.

    The governor lauded the Lieberman-Warner bill for establishing "a good foundation for federal climate legislation, with some of the smartest ideas for cutting our emissions at the lowest cost to society."

    The bill calls for measures which include:

    -- A market-based, economy-wide cap-and-trade system that inspires American business to innovate -- bringing down emissions while building new clean industries and creating jobs;

    -- A low carbon fuel standard that lets new automotive fuels compete to cut emissions from transportation; and

    -- Partnering with state and local governments, local utilities and American businesses to make energy efficiency and green technology a reality on the ground.

    The bill would have capped carbon dioxide produced by power plants, refineries and factories, with a target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 71 percent by mid-century.

    The Senate debate focused on bitter disagreement over the expected economic costs of putting a price on carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas that comes from burning fossil fuels. Opponents said it would lead to higher energy costs.