The Observer, January 25, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 14
Global Scorning: Consider candidates' stances on environmental issues when voting
Ohio's presidential primaries will take place on March 4. Along with tax breaks, war plans, and the current status of our economy, issues of enhanced corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards and stronger emission abatement programs are imperative to consider in the voting process.
Instead of "scorning" this week, I will instead present an objective look at the different stances that four candidates hold toward the environment and energy issues. The information in this article has been gathered from The League of Conservation Voters on presidentialprofiles2008.org.
Hillary Clinton (D): As First Lady, Clinton focused on environmental effects on children's health and worked with Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., to propose the Children's Environmental Protection Act. Clinton has also worked on several issues related to the environment: the Brownfields Reduction and Revitalization Act, which helps cities clean up and redevelop contaminated sites; the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, which helps to reduce pollution from school buses and other diesel vehicles; the Disaster Area Health and Environmental Monitoring Act, which monitors exposure to hazardous substances in disaster areas; and the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act, which aims to better protect the ecosystem of Long Island Sound.
If sworn into office, Clinton plans to restore federal leadership in energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy within the first 100 days of her term. She also supports legislation that would include global warming target reductions of 15-20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. Concerning fuel efficiency, Clinton believes that the best way to improve fuel economy and keep auto industry jobs is through legislation that modernizes the CAFE system, increases fuel economy, and provides resources to help American automakers invest in the technologies that increase fuel efficiency.
Barack Obama (D): Obama's environmental influences include his position as a community organizer in Chicago, where he helped to form a tenant's rights ground in the housing projects that successfully forced the city and federal governments to remove asbestos in public housing developments. Obama feels that putting a price on carbon is the most important step to reduce emissions. If elected president, he plans to enact an economy-wide cap on U.S. carbon emissions that will reduce U.S. emissions by 80 percent within the first 100 days of his term. This amount is necessary for the United States to bear an equitable share of the global emissions reduction burden. Obama also plans on changing the cars on the road. He proposes to increase the fuel efficiency standard to the limits of technological and economic feasibility and introduce legislation that will lift the 60,000-per-manufacturer cap on buyer tax credits to encourage more Americans to buy ultra-efficient vehicles. This legislation would also encourage automakers to make fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles by helping them with the health care cost of their retirees.
John McCain (R): McCain has worked on global warming issues, the protection of national parks, the preservation of natural areas, and the expansion of the wilderness preservation system. He has also worked to enact natural resources management policies that recognize both the nation's economic and environmental interests.
McCain says that his main priority during his first 100 days as president would be national security. However, he strongly believes that the environmental and economic dangers posed by global warming and America's reliance on foreign oil constitute a serious threat to global security. He has prioritized the promotion of U.S. energy security and implementation of a national cap and trade system. He also plans to use his power as president to ensure that China and India fulfill their obligations to address climate change and effectively protect the global environment and economy.
McCain acknowledges that the issue of climate change is one of the most important issues facing the world today. He believes that the establishment of a sound national climate change policy is a responsibility of the president and lawmakers, and must not be undertaken by an agency or the courts. McCain has supported aggressive CAFE standards in the past and plans to work to increase CAFE standards. He considers himself to be a strong supporter of a greenhouse gas cap and trade system.
Mitt Romney, a major player in the Republican primary, did not respond to the League of Conservation Voters. This may reflect a busy schedule, though it may also reflect indifference towards environmental and energy issues.
