Anthony Rubenstein | Million Green Ideas Campaign - Managing Director of Beyond Green Strategies

Anthony Rubenstein | Million Green Ideas Campaign - Managing Director of Beyond Green Strategies Anthony Rubenstein is a nationally recognized expert on clean technologies, public policy and corporate responsibility. As a business strategist, he helps for-profit and nonprofit ventures achieve meaningful competitive advantage that can be measured by financial, social and environmental bottom line returns. Tony is also a specialist in cleantech opportunities in China and has consulted for clients in the solar, wind and biofuel sectors ranging from startups to multinational ventures. In 2003, while working in inner-city L.A. coordinating large-scale community service efforts, Tony became frustrated by the lack of progress the United States was making at reducing its oil consumption. He began cold-calling scientists, environmentalists and anyone else who would pick up the phone, and asking them whether it was possible to reduce our use of oil. As a result of those calls, Tony became founder and chairman of Californians for Clean Energy, the force behind California's 2006 Proposition 87, the largest clean energy referendum in U.S. history. Tony recruited and led the group of renowned scientists, businessmen, environmentalists and others who formulated Prop 87's policies. He headed a $54 million fundraising effort, and recruited leaders in the clean energy sector including former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, and then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama. Prop 87 was narrowly defeated, with support from 45 percent of California voters. In July of 2008, Tony was one of the first California leaders to come out against Proposition 10, a $3.5 billion dollar bond measure that portrayed itself as a do-over of Proposition 87. As a private citizen, he wrote an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times that described Prop. 10 as a "raid on California's general fund" that would undercut the state's successes in petroleum use reduction and energy efficiency, while enriching the measure's backers. Tony joined forces with the Consumer Federation for the 2008 California No on Proposition 10 Campaign. Tony's analysis, messaging and strategic leadership helped to galvanize a history-making trans-partisan coalition dubbed "Everyone Versus Prop 10." By taking a personal stand on behalf of all Californians, and standing for the truth against rich and powerful forces, Tony helped unite unusual allies to defeat Prop. 10 with a vote of 60 percent no to 40 percent yes, despite being out funded more than 20 to 1. Tony is a born and bred Californian and lives in Los Angeles.