Which Candidates Will Save The Planet?

Which candidates will save the earth? What are their stances on the issues that will directly impact the environment?

Here are just a few quotes, stances and plans from the three remaining candidates that were found on OnTheIssues.org.

Barack Obama:

- Quote about faith & science policy: "One of the things I draw from the Genesis story is the importance of us being good stewards of the land, of this incredible gift."

Source: 2008 Democratic Compassion Forum at Messiah College Apr 13, 2008

- Blueprint for Change Plan: Protecting the Rural Environment: Obama will work for tougher regulations on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to prevent air & water pollution. AFOs Pollute the Environment: Manure spills kill millions of fish and jeopardize public health.

Source: Campaign booklet, "Blueprint for Change", p. 31-34 Feb 2, 2008

- Quote about Yucca Mountain nuclear storage: "I will end the notion of Yucca Mountain because it has not been based on the sort of sound science that can assure people that they're going to be safe. That was a mistake. You hate to see billions of dollars having already been spent, but I don't want to spend additional billions of dollars and potentially create a situation that is not safe. I've been clear from the start that Yucca was a misconceived project. I want to get the best experts and make a determination on the best science available.

Source: 2008 Democratic debate in Las Vegas Jan 15, 2008

- Quote on green technologies and fuel efficiency standards: [For] "this to happen, we've got to be courageous enough to not just talk about it in front of the sierra club or organizations already sympathetic to us. When I announced my proposal to increase fuel efficiency standards on cars, I went to Detroit in front of the automakers and said they had to change their ways. I have to say the room was quiet and nobody clapped, but that's okay. Part of what the next president has to do is not just tell the American people what they want to hear, but what they need to hear.

Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Democratic Debate Dec 13, 2007

- Quote on Environmentalism: "Environmentalism is not an upper-income issue, it's not a black issue, it's not a South or a North or an East or a West issue. It's an issue that all of us have a stake in."

Source: The Improbable Quest, by John K. Wilson, p.157-158 Oct 30, 2007

Other Issues Include:

- He organized inner-city recycling and helped fight environmental racism.

- Obama introduced a bill requiring more pollution controls at coal plants to block Bush from rolling back the Clean Air Act in Illinois.

- Strong supporter of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration and co-sponsored the Great Lakes Environmental Restoration Act.

- Passed lead abatement & 24 other laws in IL Senate

- Giving Katrina contracts to locals instead of Halliburton

- Scored 60% on Humane Society Scorecard on animal protection.

- Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations.

- Tax credit to remove lead-based house-paint.

- Establish commission to examine Katrina response.

- Sponsored health impact bill for environmental health.

- Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting.

Hillary Clinton:

- Quote about Green-Collar Jobs: "I do believe that the green-collar job piece of [the economic stimulus package] is important. That's why I have $5 billion to do it. There are programs already. In Oakland CA, Mayor Dellums is working to have a green-collar job program. We could put hundreds and hundreds of young people to work right now, putting solar panels in, insulating homes. That would give them jobs and it would move us more quickly to a green economy. And I think that if you look at this from a jobs and justice, a stimulation and long-term planning effort, we need to lay down the markers now. We've got to hold the line against President Bush with his ill-advised approach to stimulating the economy."

Source: 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Democratic debate Jan 21, 2008

- Quote about Yucca Mountain Nuclear: "I voted against Yucca Mountain in 2001. I have been consistently against Yucca Mountain, looking at all the reasons why Yucca Mountain is not workable. The science does not support it. We do have to figure out what to do with nuclear waste. I have consistently and persistently been against Yucca Mountain, and I will make sure it does not come into effect when I'm president."

Source: 2008 Democratic debate in Las Vegas Jan 15, 2008

- Quote about clean energy plan: "I have a comprehensive energy plan that does not rely on nuclear power. I have said we should not be sitting any more coal-powered plants unless they can have the most modern, clean technology. I want big demonstration projects to figure out how we would capture and sequester carbon. This is going to take a massive effort. This should be our Apollo moon shot. There's work for everybody to do--the states, communities and individuals. That's what I want to summon the country to achieve."

Source: 2008 Democratic debate in Las Vegas Jan 15, 2008

- Quote on cap and trade system: "I advocate a cap and trade system. What the auction of pollution permits is taking that money and invest in new technologies, new ways of getting to our objectives that I've outline inside my energy plan. I want to use some of it to cushion the costs that will come on to the US consumer. It's not just enough to tackle global warming, we've got to enlist the help of the next generation. My fifth grade teacher said it was to study math and science, but it gave me an idea of contributing to my country."

Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Democratic Debate Dec 13, 2007

- Plan she launched for the EPA to study of air quality at Ground Zero: Workers had worked literally around the clock at Ground Zero, and many complained about hazardous conditions. Hillary began lobbying to persuade Congress to approve money to monitor how the air around Ground Zero affected the lungs of recovery workers. She hired one of the leading experts on occupational hazards, Dr. William Rom. Rom proved that pieces of glass, asbestos fibers, and fly ash had gotten into the lungs of rescue workers. His findings enabled Hillary to land more cooperation from the White House and EPA. Eventually, research revealed that almost 70% of those who worked at Ground Zero had developed lung ailments.

Source: Her Way, by Jeff Gerth & Don Van Natta, p.238-239 Jun 8, 2007

Other Issues Include:

- Put someone in charge of Katrina recovery who actually cares.

- Overcome almost criminal indifference to Katrina rebuilding.

- Scored 100% on Humane Society Scorecard on animal protection.

- Stands for clean air and funding the EPA.

- Reduce air pollution to improve children’s health.

- Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations.

- Voted NO on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior.

- Remove PCBs from Hudson River by dredging 200 miles.

- Rated 89% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes.

- EPA must do better on mercury clean-up.

- Sponsored bill for tax credit to remove lead-based paint.

- Sponsored bill for commission to examine Katrina response.

- Sponsored health impact bill for environmental health.

- Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting.

John McCain:

- Quote on Emissions Regulations: "I applaud the governor's efforts and that of other states in this region and other states to try to eliminate the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change. Suppose that the governor and I are wrong, and there's no such thing as climate change. We adopt these green technologies, of which the US and the innovative skills we have and the entrepreneurship and the free market cap-and-trade proposal is enacted. Then all we've done is giving our kids a cleaner world."

Source: 2008 Republican debate at Reagan Library in Simi Valley Jan 30, 2008

- Criticized $3M "bear DNA" study: Quoted from OnTheIssues.org: "McCain's TV ad criticizes an earmark that provided "$3 million to study the DNA of bears in Montana." This is not the first time McCain has poked fun at the bear project. He first mentioned it on the Senate floor, on Feb. 13, 2003: "One can only imagine and conjure up an idea as to how this might be used. Approach a bear: That bear cub over there claims you are his father, and we need to take your DNA. Approach another bear: Two hikers had their food stolen by a bear, and we think it is you."

Good laugh lines, maybe, but the USGS's Grizzly Bear Project didn't study DNA for paternity tests or forensics. Rather, it explored a means of estimating Montana's grizzly bear population by analyzing bear fur snagged on barbed wire.

McCain he didn't actually try to remove the bear project from the bill. He did introduce three amendments to reduce funding, but none removing the grizzly bear project appropriations. And despite his criticisms, he voted in favor of the final bill.
Source: FactCheck.org: AdWatch of 2007 campaign ad, "Outrageous" Nov 20, 2007"

- Viewpoint of environmental interests: In the tradition of his hero, Theodore Roosevelt, John McCain believes that we are vested with a sacred duty to be proper stewards of the resources upon which the quality of American life depends. John McCain believes that America's economic and environmental interests are not mutually exclusive, but rather inextricably linked. Our economic prospects depend greatly upon the sustainable use of ample and unspoiled natural resources. A clean and healthy environment is well served by a strong economy. History shows that poverty is a poor steward.

Source: Campaign website, www.johnmccain.com, "Issues" Sep 1, 2007

- Quote about the 3.5 billion acres placed into wilderness protection: "A deep skepticism exists in the electorate about the party's commitment to protecting the environment. Have Republicans abandoned their roots as the party of Theodore Roosevelt, who maintained that government's most important task, with the exception of national security, is to leave posterity a land in better condition than they receive it? The answer must be 'No.' "

"We were able to place more than 3.5 billion acres of land into wilderness protection, increase the preservation of public lands and tackle complex environmental threats to the Grand Canyon."

- Quote about preserving wilderness: "I cosponsored two bills with Mo Udall. The first, enacted in 1964, added 1 million acres to the wilderness area established in his 1964 legislation. The second, enacted four years after my election to the Senate, set aside 1.4 million acres of Arizona desert wilderness. My contribution to both bills was a fraction of Mo's, but I consider them to be among my proudest achievements as a legislator."

Source: Worth the Fighting For, by John McCain, p. 81 Sep 24, 2002

Other Issues Include:

- Scored 40% on Humane Society Scorecard on animal protection.

- Repeal ban on new roads in wilderness due to bad process.

- Use park visitor fees for park development bonds.

- Preserve natural resources for future.

- Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations.

- Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior.

- Voted YES on transportation demo projects.

- Voted NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests.

- Voted NO on continuing desert protection in California.

- Voted YES on requiring EPA risk assessments.