An environmental summit in Beverly Hills sounds like an irony-filled joke, but it isn't. Today California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is hosting the final day of a conference on greenhouse gas emissions.

More than 800 scientists, policy experts, environmentalists and industry and government officials from 19 countries and 17 states have gathered to discuss potential solutions to the problem. The Republican governor has been a leader on the subject since signing legislation two years ago that commits his state to lowering emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

The Bush White House has resisted California's attempt to make itself an example, insisting that ambitious carbon emissions goals are too risky for U.S. business. But the governor counters that tougher standards will produce innovations and jobs that lead to a greener, healthier economy.

President-elect Barack Obama agrees. He addressed the conference by videotape yesterday and promised that the U.S. will participate vigorously in United Nations negotiations on climate change next year. Next month, another international conference will take place in Poland, and the California summit is a step toward building consensus for doing the right thing.

Fortunately, Gov. Schwarzenegger is offering leadership when Washington has shown none.