California is taking a closely watched step to cut greenhouse gas emissions through a new cap-and-trade program. On Wednesday, the state will open a carbon market that forces its biggest polluters to buy and sell permits to emit carbon dioxide. Some say cap-and-trade here could become either a model or a cautionary tale for others.

Guests:

Craig Miller , science editor for KQED who hosted and co-reported the documentary, "Heat and Harvest"

Severin Borenstein , professor at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and co-director of The Energy Institute at Haas

Jasmin Ansar , economist with the climate program at the Union of Concerned Scientists

Shelly Sullivan , executive director of the AB 32 Implementation Group