The Low Down On Green Living
January 10th, 2008
Presidential Candidates on the Environment
Stumble it!
We’re deep into primary season, and we thought it might be helpful for you to be able to survey the environmental positions of the presidential candidates. We run a non-partisan shop here at Low Impact Living, but we’re sure you’ll agree that protecting the environment will be a key responsibility of our new president. We hope that you will make environmental protection an important factor in your voting decision.
So please have a look here at the various major candidates’ views. Do they support the Kyoto Protocol? Do they have other specific proposals for reducing our carbon emissions? What is their stance on water quality? Let’s kick the tires, folks. I am not inserting my own positions– I am simply quoting from the candidates themselves.
And we welcome you to share your comments liberally (or conservatively). May the best man or woman win!
The Democrats (in alpha order)
Hillary Clinton
According to the Clinton campaign, “The choices we make about energy touch nearly every aspect of our lives. Our economy, our national security, our health, and the future of our planet are all at stake as we make a choice between energy independence and dependence on foreign sources of oil. Hillary has proposed an Apollo Project-like program dedicated to achieving energy independence.” She wants toreduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 and create a $50M “Strategic Energy Fund.” To read more about her positions, please click here.
John Edwards
The Edwards campaign says, “Global warming is a crisis that could fundamentally change our planet, creating hundreds of millions of deaths and starvation. Edwards will restore our energy independence by asking Americans to be patriotic about something other than war and building a new energy economy based on clean renewable energy and energy efficiency.” He wants to introduce a cap-and-trade system by 2010 and create a “New Energy Economy Fund” by auctioning off $10 billion in greenhouse pollution permits. To learn more about Edwards’ positions, please click here.
Dennis Kucinich
The Kucinich camp says, “As the world population soars towards eight billion, critical issues of survival face all of us. Living on a planet of finite resources means that human life can not be sustained indefinitely without careful thought and compassion coupled with political courage… A Kucinich administration would immediately put the United States in the forefront of solving the global warming crisis by rejoining the Kyoto accord and implementing its recommendations.” He supports a “Global Green Deal” that would enable the introduction of $50 billion of new solar projects around the world. To read more about his positions, click here.
Barack Obama
Obama says “I don’t believe that climate change is just an issue that’s convenient to bring up during a campaign. I believe it’s one of the greatest moral challenges of our generation. That’s why I’ve fought successfully in the Senate to increase our investment in renewable fuels. That’s why I reached across the aisle to come up with a plan to raise our fuel standards… I went to Detroit, I stood in front of a group of automakers, and I told them that when I am president, there will be no more excuses — we will help them retool their factories, but they will have to make cars that use less oil.” To read more about his positions on energy and the environment, click here.
The Republicans
Rudy Giuliani
Giuliani does not address the environment specifically on his site, but he does address the importance of energy independence. He says, “Every potential solution must be pursued – from nuclear power to increased energy exploration to more aggressive investment in alternative energy sources. I believe that America can achieve energy independence through a national strategy that emphasizes diversification, innovation, and conservation.” He supports increased use of ethanol & biofuels, expansion of nuclear power, and “clean coal.” To learn more about his views, please click here.
Mike Huckabee
Like Giuliani, Huckabee focuses on energy independence. He says, “The first thing I will do as President is send Congress my comprehensive plan for energy independence. We will achieve energy independence by the end of my second term. Achieving energy independence is vital to achieving success both in the war on terror and in globalization. Energy independence will help guarantee both our safety and our prosperity.” He also belives that “We have to explore, we have to conserve, and we have to pursue all avenues of alternative energy: nuclear, wind, solar, hydrogen, clean coal, biodiesel, and biomass.” Learn more on Huckabee’s views on energy independence, click here.
John McCain
The McCain camp writes, “John McCain has a proud record of common sense stewardship. Along with his commitment to clean air and water, and to conserving open space, he has been a leader on the issue of global warming with the courage to call the nation to action on an issue we can no longer afford to ignore.” To learn more about McCain’s views, click here.
Ron Paul
Ron Paul says, “The key to sound environmental policy is respect for private property rights. The strict enforcement of property rights corrects environmental wrongs while increasing the cost of polluting.” If you want to hear more of what Ron Paul has to say about the environment, please visit http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/environment/ .
Mitt Romney
Romney also focuses on energy independence: “For too long, America has been entangled with and dependent on foreign suppliers of oil. As long as America imports much of our oil from unstable regions and countries around the world, our national security and economic prosperity is threatened. Because energy independence is crucial to our economy and our national security, we must establish it as a top administration priority, and lead the U.S. to a future with affordable and secure energy.” To learn more about Romney’s views, click here.
Fred Thompson
The Thompson campaign states, “The energy challenges our nation faces today are real and significant. Our dependence on foreign sources of oil threatens our national security and puts our economic prosperity at risk. America must rise to the challenge and take the steps necessary to become more energy independent before this becomes a crisis.” To learn more about Thompson on energy security, click here.
What do YOU think? Who do you find most compelling? Which candidate has the best specific environmental plans? What questions do you think are left un-answered? We invite you to share your comments!
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Comments
slightlytilted
January 10th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
What about Ron Paul?
Jessica Jensen
January 10th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Wellll…I thought he is not getting enough of the vote to be called a “major candidate”….but what the heck. He says, “The key to sound environmental policy is respect for private property rights. The strict enforcement of property rights corrects environmental wrongs while increasing the cost of polluting.” If you want to hear more of what Ron Paul has to say about the environment, you can go to http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/environment/
Thanks!– Jessica, Low Impact Living
MegaBlogger
January 10th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Jessica,
You said:
“Wellll…I thought he is not getting enough of the vote to be called a “major candidate”….but what the heck.”
You obviously don’t know much about what is going on in the primaries, Ron Paul has beat both Thompson and Giuliani in Iowa. In NH Ron Paul beat Thompson and was close on Giuliani’s tail.
Ron Paul has raised more money then any other republican. You write about Thompson yet Ron Paul has been destroying Thompson in the polls. Obviously you have done no research, just copied and pasted from the candidates WebPages you THINK are frontrunners.
Please do not write about politics because you have no idea what is going on…..
Jessica Jensen
January 10th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Thanks Megblogger for your *fun* comment.
Since this is an environmental site and you are a political expert, why don’t you share your thoughts on the environmental platforms of the candidates…who has the best plan in your mind?
TW10
January 15th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Jessica, they are right. How can you include Kucinich but not Paul if you based inclusion upon polls and early primaries?
Second, you did no research, simply quoted campaign propoganda!
IMHO, all the Dems support the type of environmental policies most people visiting a site like this would support. In fact, from a policy standpoint, all 3 Dems seem pretty close. That’s why the race has taken on a personal tone.
On the GOP side, only Huckabee and McCain have strong records of being pro-environment. In fact, McCain receieved the endorsement of the Republicans for Environmental Protection (which is not as big an oxymoron as some libs might think.) Thompson and Romney seem to be as pro-business/anti-clean anything as possible, with Romney promising to reverse the recent increase in CAFE standards and Thompson calling global warming “gobbledy-gook” or something like that. Paul and Guiliani seem to be in the middle.
I would love to see you rewrite this article - it was a great idea! But this time spend the time looking at the records instead of copying andpasting from the candidates’ websites.
Jessica Jensen
January 15th, 2008 at 11:46 am
HI All–
Let me explain my approach. I did copy the candidates’ views precisely because I am trying to NOT insert my opinion or give any commentary. I am trying to provide information for our visitors and readers to review and comment on. As much as I might like to give my opinion, I am resisting that urge in order to provide an open forum for folks to comment.
And thank you TW10 for your excellent comments on the candidates!
Cheers,
Jessica — Low Impact Living
LGard
January 16th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Jessica–Thanks for providing the opportunity to openly discuss an incredibly important issue without bias. I was sorry to see your attempts blasted by a few people who didn’t seem to understand the intent. I hope to see some more meaningful exchanges that might help people make a more educated decision at the polls this year. Take care!
Jackie L
January 16th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Hi, Jessica! I just wanted to say thanks for putting it all out there for us to see.
Thanks!
ko
January 16th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Unfortunately, the candidate with the strongest environmental policy has already dropped out of the race. Chris Dodd has served in the Senate since 1980, and the League of Conservation Voters said this about Dodd’s energy policy - “Aggressive…ambitious…one of the most comprehensive policies released by any of the 2008 candidates”
http://chrisdodd.com/issues/energy_independence
Tony Roberts
January 16th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Jessica,
Thank you for begining the discussion for those of us who are trying to make a small difference in saving “our world.”
Are you able to do some research to determine if any of the candidates are personally walking the talk? Why should we trust any of these politicians if they do not practice what they say they want “us” to do?
I would bet that not one of them has changed their light bulbs or their BIG SUV cars they drive, and the private jets they fly!
D. P. P.
January 17th, 2008 at 1:37 am
Thanks Jess for trying to give us all some unbiased information and links and allowing us all to research this information more throughly ourselves. LOVE YOUR SITE!!!
Meghan
January 17th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Thanks for including this topic in your blog. It is difficult to make everyone (and sometimes anyone) happy with a difficult topic like this one.
For those looking for more information, The Grist has a handy chart that they’ve put together along with some interesting video. http://www.grist.org/candidate_chart_08.html
As for Chris Dodd, he isn’t out of the race yet. I’m still thinking an Edwards/Dodd ticket would be great…
Jessica Jensen
January 17th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Thank you all so much for your comments…I’m glad we’re getting some views out there! And Meghan that Grist feature you posted is excellent– everyone should look at it. It really digs down to the nitty-gritty for each candidate.
–Jessica, Low Impact Living
Jessica Jensen
January 17th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
And Tony you make a great point about “walking the talk”….has anyone seen one of the candidates driving around in a hybrid? or using biodiesel? All I see are big gaz-sucking American SUVs on the campaign trail. And don’t get me started about the private jets.
Am I wrong?? (and I may be.)
TW10
January 18th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Meghan, thanks for the great link. I highly prefer that one to the candidates’ official sites. The problem with those is that they so often represent false promises. Most of these guys are so worried about offending any voting bloc that they couch everything in the vaguest of terms while campaigning. (The only exception to that seems to be Ron Paul. Unfortunately while I respect his integrity I disagree with many of his policies.) That is why I prefer to look at what they have done rather than what they say they will do.
Meghan
January 20th, 2008 at 10:08 am
“Am I wrong?? (and I may be.)”
No, probably not. However, some of the candidates are purchasing carbon offsets to make their campaigns carbon-neutral. I suppose it is better than nothing (which is what everyone else is doing).
Matt
February 21st, 2008 at 7:58 am
You have been biased. The criteria for your list is candidates who you decide are popular enough. They are the most popular candidates, but they are not the most green. Every one of the 4 Green Party candidates running for president has a far superior environmental plan. If you truly want to let the American public choose an environmental president, let them know who the environmental candidates are. Don’t limit us to the currently popular ones.
http://www.newmenu.org/list_by_state.php#The%20United%20States
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