In the News

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Although still in its infancy, the USC Schwarzenegger Institute has already generated extensive media coverage in connection with its mission and activities.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Westime Raise Record Funds For After-School All-Stars

Earlier this month, legendary actor and former California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger welcomed philanthropic guests from around the world at his Los Angeles residence for the sixth annual After-School All-Stars (ASAS) fundraiser. The Western-themed event, co-hosted by Schwarzenegger and Westime’s John and Greg Simonian, raised a whopping $2.2 million in support of ASAS’ mission of helping disadvantaged children excel in and outside the classroom. Haute Time

Hawaii signs bill pledging to go carbon neutral by 2045

Hawaii has pledged to use 100% renewable energy by 2045 after governor David Ige said climate change is already having an impact - and its ambitious carbon neutral target has been labelled "inspirational" by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The island of Hawaii has signed a bill making a commitment to become carbon neutral by 2045 – the most ambitious climate goal of any US state. Compelo

UN’s #BeatPlasticPollution Tag Is the New Ice Bucket Challenge

In one of the coolest social media campaigns since the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, the United Nations launched a global challenge to #BeatPlasticPollution, the theme of World Environment Day on June 5.  The movement encourages you to give up single-use plastics and replace them with reusable and sustainable alternatives. Participants are asked to announce their commitment on social media and tag their friends to help spread the message within 24 hours. EcoWatch

The Energy 202: Arnold Schwarzenegger calls Scott Pruitt ‘worst environmental secretary that we have

Arnold Schwarzenegger is no fan of President Trump or his deputies, including Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt. Yet the former California governor cemented his place as perhaps the most anti-Trump Republican out there, at least on energy and environmental issues, by calling Pruitt “the worst environmental secretary that we have ever had.”  The Washington Post

Schwarzenegger challenges Trump to join green energy efforts

Arnold Schwarzenegger is urging President Donald Trump to join in efforts to promote green energy, saying he would have "a lot of victories."  The former California governor spoke Tuesday at the R20 Austrian World Summit, an offshoot of a Schwarzenegger climate change initiative. Daily Herald

How California Could Bust Up the Two-Party System

At least some Republicans in the state, chief among them former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, have been trying to push the G.O.P. to adopt more mainstream ideas and policies.  Mr. Schwarzenegger and other reform-minded Republicans ought to create a new party that can woo independent voters, former Republicans and even disaffected Democrats.  The New York Times

An Urgent Debate for California Republicans: How to Get Back in the Game

A group of Republicans led by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Republican governor, and Chad Mayes, the former Republican Assembly leader, have begun a campaign to move the party to the center, arguing that would make it more competitive by increasing its appeal to independent voters and disaffected Democrats. The New York Times

Arnold Schwarzenegger Sets His Sights On Fossil Fuels

Speaking to an audience at Austin's SXSW Festival last week, the actor and former California Governor [Arnold Schwarzenegger] announced he would follow the recent examples of state attorneys general and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in suing oil companies over allegations that they knew the burning of their products could cause global warming consequences decades ago, and attempting to hold them liable for rising sea levels and other potential outcomes. Forbes

Schwarzenegger to Sue Big Oil for ‘First Degree Murder’

 Arnold Schwarzenegger’s next mission: taking oil companies to court “for knowingly killing people all over the world.” The former California governor and global environmental activist announced the move Sunday at a live recording of POLITICO’s Off Message podcast here at the SXSW festival, revealing that he’s in talks with several private law firms and preparing a public push around the effort. Politico Magazine

Schwarzenegger: ‘It’s time that we wake up’ to threat of pollution

“It’s time that we wake up. It’s time that we wake up and talk about what really matters,” Schwarzenegger said, according to The Associated Press. “Here’s what really matters: that 25,000 people are dying every day because of pollution.” The movie star and former Republican governor of California called on climate activists to improve their messaging on global warming. The Hill