Hillary Clinton For President In 2008

Environmental issues (more specifically, climate change) have a real presence in the upcoming presidential election. According to a survey conducted by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute, 93.1% of respondents said they would be more likely to support a candidate whose platform includes a plan to improve the environment. But where do each of the candidates stand? Because, let's face it...some will be champions for the environment. And others will not be.

Hillary Clinton (D)

Summary: Believes the US needs to take slow, steady steps toward reducing carbon emissions, here and around the globe. Supports an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

The Candidate Says: "For this generation of Americans, climate change is our Space Race. It is our home-front mobilization during World War II and it is our response to the Great Depression. According to studies, the negative economic consequences of climate change will affect every part of our country, virtually every sector of our economy, and strain our local governments, cost jobs, and extract a horrific human toll." ("Energy and Climate Change" Speech, 5 November 2007) "The scientific consensus is clear and overwhelming: we are causing the planet to warm, with potentially devastating consequences. We need to take immediate steps to address this problem." (Statement on United Nations Report on Climate Change, 2 February 2007)

If Elected, The Candidate Would...:

• Support policies to regulate carbon emissions and other pollution
• Establish a cap-and-trade program
• Invest in alternative energy technologies and energy research
• Support the green building industry and require that all federal buildings designed in 2009 be zero emissions
• Increase carmfuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030

In The Past:

• Co-sponsored the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2007, which would require an 80% reduction of emissions below 1990 levels by 2050
• Co-sponsored the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007, which would cut carbon emissions by 30% from 2000 to 2050
• Proposed a $50 billion R&D fund for energy efficiency and clean technologies
• Voted yes on an amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which would have capped greenhouse gas emissions at 2000 levels by 2010
• Voted yes on an amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2003, which would have increased car fuel efficiency standards to 40 mpg by 2015

Current Status:

•  Won RI, TX, OH, CA, NM, AZ, NY, AR, NJ, MA, OK, TN, FL, NV, MI, NH
• Has 1,718 delegates (272 superdelegates) as of May 14, 2008 - is in 2nd place, but has almost been numerically defeated by Barack Obama

Other 2008 Presidential Candidates:

Democrats

• Joe Biden
• Christopher Dodd
• John Edwards
• Mike Gravel
• Dennis Kucinich
• Barack Obama
• Bill Richardson

Republicans:

• Rudy Giuliani
• Mike Huckabee
• Duncan Hunter
• John McCain
• Ron Paul
• Mitt Romney
• Tom Tancredo
• Fred Thompson