Gavin Newsom and Arnold Schwarzenegger celebrate California climate legislation anniversary

California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger met for a chat on Wednesday at the 2026 California Economic Summit in Long Beach. The New York Post reported that the two politicians celebrated the state's climate regulations during the event, which runs from October 13 to October 15 at the Long Beach Convention Center. The summit marked the 20th anniversary of the California Global Warming Solutions Act, which Schwarzenegger signed in 2006. [1][2]

According to the New York Post, the 2006 law mandated that California reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The state reported that it met this 30 percent reduction goal ahead of schedule. The reductions were achieved through mandatory emissions caps, required reporting for major industrial sources, and a statewide regulatory framework. [1]

Newsom has served as the 40th governor of California since 2019, following his tenure as lieutenant governor and mayor of San Francisco. As governor, Newsom has pursued strict climate change mitigation targets. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th governor of California from 2003 to 2011 after a career as a bodybuilder and actor. [3][4][6][7]