2008 Vice President Nominee Environmental Records

Joe Biden (D)

"If I could wave a wand, and the Lord said I could solve one problem, I would solve the energy crisis. That's the single most consequential problem we can solve. It's what you have to do to get greenhouse gases under control."

Sarah Palin (R)

 "A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I'm not one though who would attribute [global warming] to being man-made."

It's Getting Hot In Here (Climate Change)

• Not only thinks climate change is real and is a force to be reckoned with, he calls it "not merely an environmental issue, it is a security issue."
• Introduced legislation calling for an international cleantech fund of $2 billion
• Calls for a national cap-and-trade system and an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

• Doesn't think humans are causing global warming: she says, "A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made."  Sure, Palin.  The IPCC is just wrong.  Let's trust you instead.

Burning the Midnight Oil (Traditional Fuels)

• Says energy security is his "top priority"
• Proposed a $50 billion "Apollo Project" to address energy issues
• Advocated requiring major gas stations to add more biofuel pumps

• Chairs the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, a multi-state agency that "member states efficiently maximize oil and natural gas resources through sound regulatory practices while protecting our nation's health, safety and the environment."
• Accepted $5,000 in campaign contributions in 2001 during her unsuccessful campaign for Alaska lieutenant governor from executives at VECO, Alaska's largest oil contracting firm.
• Her husband works for BP Oil
• Advocates "mutually beneficial relationships with the oil industry"
• Believes it's "God's will" that a natural gas pipeline be built through Alaska.

It's Okay To Be Different (Alternative Energy and Energy Efficiency)

• Advoted updating building codes, expanding the Energy Star program, and increasing incentives for energy efficiency in commercial buildings
• Sponsored the FLIP-to-SAVE bill which would provide $50 million in grants for states to distribute compact fluorescent light bulbs and educate residents (he says "there are lots of little things we can do to make a gigantic change")
• Thinks biofuels are a good starting point

• Doesn't seem to be a big fan of alternative energy: "Alternative-energy solutions are far from imminent and would require more than 10 years to develop." 
• Believes we can drill our way out of our energy problems.  It's all about oil with Palin.

Emission-free power...really? (Nuclear Power)

• Sees nuclear power as possibly having "a role"
• "I would not invest in [growing our nuclear-power capacity in its current form]"

• During her speech at the Republican National Convention, she said "in a McCain-Palin administration...we're going to build more nuclear plants"

You Drive Me Crazy (Transportation)

• Supports increasing federal funding to improve the rail system.
• Rides Amtrak every day Congress is in session.
• Supports raising fuel economy standards by 1 mpg each year, doubling investment in development of lithium ion batteries, requiring new vehicles to be flex-fuel, and requiring major gas stations to sell alternative fuels.

• Sold the state's jet (which the previous corrupt governor should never have bought to begin with).
• Husband is a champion snowmobile racer.
• Her love affair with oil suggests that her support of alternative fuel technology will be minimal at best.

Take Refuge (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Biodiversity)

• Opposes drilling for oil in ANWR: he's voted against exploration repeatedly
• Calls for US leadership to protect biodiversity

• Fully supports opening ANWR for drilling
• Sued the Interior Department over its decision to list polar bears as a threatened species (she calls it "unwarranted...based on uncertain climate models")
• Opposed the restriction of new mining operations which could negatively impact salmon fisheries
• Supported aerial hunting of wolves and promoted more killings by offering a bounty for each dead wolf
• Hangs out with a dead grizzly bear in her office

CONCLUSION: Gaia loves you, Joe.

CONCLUSION: Run, polar bears, run.