SACRAMENTO -- California Attorney General Jerry Brown said Thursday he will pursue a lawsuit against the six largest U.S. and Japanese automakers in which the state seeks millions of dollars in damages caused by vehicle emissions of greenhouse gases.

"We think we have a solid case, and we're going to pursue it vigorously," Brown said at a news conference in San Francisco. "The ultimate objective is ... to prevent the catastrophic consequences of this global warming problem."

In December, automakers sought to dismiss the suit filed by Brown's predecessor, Bill Lockyer, who's now California's treasurer. On Thursday, Brown's office filed its response.

"This filing today is a very thoughtful and detailed document in opposition that knocks down each of the arguments that the automobile companies are offering," Brown said.

While Brown plans to pursue the lawsuit, he also wants to meet with the automakers to discuss a possible settlement and ways to address climate change. On Wednesday, he sent a letter to attorneys representing the automakers, asking to meet personally with the chief executives of General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda and Nissan.

"As I review the litigation and learn more about the disputes, I am struck by the need for California and the automakers to work together to address the profound environmental challenges posed by global warming," Brown said in letters to each of the automakers' attorneys.

California is the world's 12th largest producer of greenhouse gases, and more of those emissions come from vehicles than any other source.

Lockyer sued the auto companies in September in U.S. District Court in Oakland, saying he wanted to hold the auto industry accountable for what scientists say is its contribution to climate change.

The lawsuit marked the first time a state has sought monetary damages for the effects caused by Earth-warming gases emitted by cars and trucks.

The lawsuit claims California will spend millions of dollars combating the changes that global warming is expected to bring to the state. Warmer winters are expected to melt the Sierra snowpack earlier each year, lead to flooding in the Central Valley and threaten the state's water supply for cities and farms.

Lawmakers already are debating how to ensure that California has enough water in the future, especially with the state's population expected to hit 55 million by 2050.

Dave Barthmuss, a General Motors spokesman, said executives would consider meeting with Brown and were "always willing to engage in an open and honest debate."

Barthmuss said GM remains firm in its belief the original lawsuit "lacks any merit." He also said the company is willing to collaborate with California to bring more emission-reducing technologies to the road.

"General Motors and the entire automotive industry is already putting on the road advanced technologies and alternative-fuel vehicles that are doing the kinds of things that California seems to want us to be doing," Barthmuss said.

Brown, a former governor who won the attorney general's race in November, said a Chrysler executive he spoke to seemed open to a meeting with the company's CEO.

Automakers also are challenging a 2002 California law that requires reductions in emissions from cars and light trucks. The auto industry says only the federal government can make such a demand.