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Media
Election: The Candidates on Climate Change
The 2008 Presidential election is almost upon us. Where do the candidates stand on the issue of carbon markets, climate change?
The following was taken directly from the candidates’ websites. Carbonfund.org is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse either candidate.
John McCain
John McCain proposes a cap-and-trade system that would set limits on greenhouse gas emissions while encouraging the development of low-cost compliance options. Climate policy should be built on scientifically-sound, mandatory emission reduction targets and timetables.
Goals:
•To cut emissions 60% below 1990 Levels by 2050 (66% below 2005 Levels)
•To commit our country to expand domestic oil exploration.
•To promote and expand the use of our domestic supplies of natural gas.
•John McCain will issue a Clean Car Challenge to the automakers of America, in the form of a single and substantial tax credit for the consumer based on the reduction of carbon emissions. He will commit a $5,000 tax credit for each and every customer who buys a zero carbon emission car, encouraging automakers to be first on the market with these cars in order to capitalize on the consumer incentives. For other vehicles, a graduated tax credit will apply so that the lower the carbon emissions, the higher the tax credit.
McCain’s full climate change statement is available here.
Barack Obama
The Obama-Biden comprehensive New Energy for America plan will implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. The Obama-Biden cap-and-trade policy will require all pollution credits to be auctioned, and proceeds will go to investments in a clean energy future, habitat protections, and rebates and other transition relief for families.
Obama and Biden will re-engage with the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)—the main international forum dedicated to addressing global warming. They will also create a Global Energy Forum of the world’s largest emitters to focus exclusively on global energy and environmental issues.
The Obama-Biden comprehensive New Energy for America plan will:
•Help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future.
•Within 10 years save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined.
•Put 1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars—cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon—on the road by 2015, cars that we will work to make sure are built here in America.
•Ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
•Enact a Windfall Profits Tax to Provide a $1,000 Emergency Energy Rebate to American Families.
•Crack Down on Excessive Energy Speculation.
•Swap Oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Cut Prices.
•Increase Fuel Economy Standards.
•Create a New $7,000 Tax Credit for Purchasing Advanced Vehicles.
•Establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
•A “Use it or Lose It” Approach to Existing Oil and Gas Leases.
•Promote the Responsible Domestic Production of Oil and Natural Gas.
•Deploy the Cheapest, Cleanest, Fastest Energy Source – Energy Efficiency.
•Weatherize One Million Homes Annually.
•Develop and Deploy Clean Coal Technology.
•Prioritize the Construction of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline.
Obama’s full energy statement is available here.
Carbonfund.org hopes this information will help you make your decision on Election Day. For more information on climate change, visit our About Climate Change page.
