Governator honored by U.S. Forest Service for his work on climate change issues; he praises department's firefighters as best in the world
by David Strege
Arnold Schwarzenegger shakes Smokey Bear’s hand next to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell; photo by Bob Nichols, USDA
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a new role, one that had him shaking hands with Smokey Bear and receiving a green jacket with a badge in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.
The Governator has
become a forest ranger.
OK, not exactly an official forest ranger but an honorary one.
The former California governor joined actress Betty White and Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell–previous honorees–as an honorary forest ranger, receiving the honor in a ceremony at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Forest Service recognized Schwarzenegger for his work on climate change issues. As governor he signed into law the Global Warming Solutions Act, setting California on a course of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
After leaving office in 2011, he co-founded R20, the Regions of Climate Action, a global nonprofit that helps governments lower carbon emissions and make forests and other ecosystems more resilient against climate change.
The honor “truly touches my heart,” Schwarzenegger said. He went on to praise the Forest Service and its thousands of firefighters, calling them the best in the world.
“I have always known the kind of great work the U.S. Forest Service is doing,” he said. “But when I became governor of California, [I saw] firsthand the kind of devastating fires we have in California. I also have seen what climate change has done. We used to have a fire season, which was in the summer and the fall. Eventually this [included] spring and now there is fire all year long.
“And it was like a sport team. When a mistake was made there was
never any finger pointing. You just got together and figured out how to
work even better together. And because of that they were better able to
do their jobs…and this is why I became such a fan.”
U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell made the presentations, telling Schwarzenegger, “Not to diminish bodybuilding, acting, or governing, but we’re pretty sure that this will be the toughest post you will ever love.”
Can’t wait to see the Governator in his green jacket and badge patrolling the forest.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a new role, one that had him shaking hands with Smokey Bear and receiving a green jacket with a badge in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.
The Governator has
become a forest ranger.
OK, not exactly an official forest ranger but an honorary one.
The former California governor joined actress Betty White and Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell–previous honorees–as an honorary forest ranger, receiving the honor in a ceremony at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Chief Tom Tidwell presents Arnold Schwarzenegger with official Forest Service jacket and badge; photo by Bob Nichols, USDA
The Forest Service recognized Schwarzenegger for his work on climate change issues. As governor he signed into law the Global Warming Solutions Act, setting California on a course of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
After leaving office in 2011, he co-founded R20, the Regions of Climate Action, a global nonprofit that helps governments lower carbon emissions and make forests and other ecosystems more resilient against climate change.
The honor “truly touches my heart,” Schwarzenegger said. He went on to praise the Forest Service and its thousands of firefighters, calling them the best in the world.
“I have always known the kind of great work the U.S. Forest Service is doing,” he said. “But when I became governor of California, [I saw] firsthand the kind of devastating fires we have in California. I also have seen what climate change has done. We used to have a fire season, which was in the summer and the fall. Eventually this [included] spring and now there is fire all year long.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was also presented with a Smokey Bear doll; photo by Bob Nichols, USDA
U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell made the presentations, telling Schwarzenegger, “Not to diminish bodybuilding, acting, or governing, but we’re pretty sure that this will be the toughest post you will ever love.”
Can’t wait to see the Governator in his green jacket and badge patrolling the forest.
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