2008 Elections--What About a Little Thing Called "The Environment"??

Hello dear readers. I am an English Literature major and I will be exploring the presidential candidates' platforms on environmental issues such as Global Warming (*A.K.A. "Climate Change" by the current administration), greenhouse emissions, the U.S.'s role in global pollution, the candidates' proposed solutions, and the impact of "green" movements during this election season. Unfortunately, amidst the recent controversy surrounding Reverend Jeremiah Wright, crucial issues such as the environment fell further into the political backdrop. We are well into 2008 and the presidential candidates have devoted little time toward addressing environmental issues.


The 2008 election candidates--Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton, John McCain, and Barack Obama--counter the Bush administration's denial of global warming/climate change, but to varying degrees. Senator Clinton's lofty environmental goals include switching from carbon-based to "clean and energy-efficient," holding oil and coal companies accountable for emissions, encouraging "green," or environmentally-friendly/efficient, homes and commercial structures, implementing programs for lower- and middle-income buyers to buy green, and advocating a reduction in electricity consumption and oil dependence. Although McCain introduced an environmental climate change bill in 2003, he has skipped out on crucial votes in the Senate regarding the use of oil, versus so-called "clean" coal, as well as crucial votes to overturn generous tax benefits for oil companies. His official presidential website mentions McCain's platform agenda on the environment, but there are few details on what specific strategy McCain intends to pursue. McCain states his belief in Americans' "patriotic responsibility" toward sustaining clean water and air resources and keeping our national treasures intact, however, there is a dearth of information regarding his questionable Senate voting record and his proposed resolutions for environmental issues. Senator Obama's detailed "Plan for a Clean Energy Future" involves investing over $150billion in clean energy initiatives, coupled with skilled training for youths via a "Green Jobs Corps," requiring renewable electricity, reducing oil dependence by 2030, encouraging the production of green products, and advocating cleaner technology from companies--especially large corporations, the biggest polluters and waste producers.

While the November 2008 elections are several months away, the candidates must keep environmental issues at the forefront of their campaigns. The most recent controversy involving Reverend Wright has overshadowed the Democratic candidates' messages regarding several election issues, however, within the coming months, Senators Obama, McCain, and Clinton owe the voting public more than broad statements on their campaign websites. For example, the recent revelations about pharmaceutical drugs in drinking water, a major concern, have largely gone ignored by the candidates. This is no small matter. If such important environmental issues are not addressed now, why should we believe the candidates' daily campaign rhetoric about other issues?