Who is the Greenest Presidential candidate

[cedric]

and are their policies going to be sufficient?

[bananas]

some analysis at grist

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/2/4/23617/54464

The green Democrat's choice
Obama or Clinton: who's greener?
Posted by David Roberts at 4:16 AM on 05 Feb 2008

<snip>

Today I want to take a look at the Dem candidates. Do green issues offer a way to differentiate them? A way to help wavering primary voters decide which way to go?

Sorry, but not really.

<snip>

[mihalevich]

1. Obma

[ClintonTyree]

3. Just based on the "hope" factor alone?

Or do you have some facts you can back that up with? :shrug:

[ClintonTyree]

2. Considering Obama's close ties to Exelon....

I think I'd have to give the nod to Clinton on that one. At least on face value.

Edited for spelling of Exelon.

[mihalevich]

4. WHAT!

is that thing?

[ClintonTyree]

7. Are you referring to.....

the almighty Flying Spaghetti Monster? This is the more stylistic version. Sorta' like the "white-guy Jesus with the neatly trimmed beard" the christians so often use.

The REAL Spaghetti Monster is a bit more messy, what with all the sauce, cheese and all. ;)

[mihalevich]

8. Ya, thats the thing that

cerated the universe. cool. I will inform my high school students tomorrow. I hate the Dam creationist / focus on the family dumb shits

[bananas]

10. Your students might enjoy this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=214x91856

[cedric]

5. and your answer to the second question!

and are there policies sufficient for the requirements needed?

[sandnsea]

6. Obama has innovative ideas

I really like the Green Job Corps.

Obama will create an energy-focused youth jobs program for disconnected and disadvantaged youth. This program will provide participants with service opportunities to improve energy conservation and efficiency of homes and buildings in their communities, while also providing practical experience in important career fields of expected high-growth employment. It will also engage private sector employers and unions to provide apprenticeship opportunities. The program will also work closely with
Obama’s proposed Clean Energy Corps to help participants find additional service opportunities after they complete the Green Job Corps.

[arenean]

9. From the BBC News website....

There's a menu system where you can pull down where the candidates stand on a range of issues...

For climate change:

CLINTON:
Would agree limits on US carbon emissions, as part of post-Kyoto deal. Wants tougher energy and car efficiency standards and more funding for green research, aiming at energy independence.

OBAMA:
Wants an 80% cut in US greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Wants US to lead global effort to combat climate change. Would invest $150bn over 10 years in clean energy.

-----
McCAIN:
Says climate change is real and devastating. Says US should consider joining with every other nation in the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, if China and India join in.

HUCKABEE:
Wants to achieve energy independence by end of second term in office. Favours using all sources of energy, including nuclear, renewables, and biofuels. Says energy is a global security issue.

ROMNEY:
Wants US action to become more energy efficient and ultimately become energy independent. Would like to see a global deal but only when China and India join such an agreement.

[YankeyMCC]

11. Between Obama and Clinton it's very difficult to distinguish

almost the same plans.

Obama seems more willing to give into Nuclear industry demands, so it depends on how you feel about the role of Nuclear energy going forward, I know for many that's probably a deal breaker. But his energy/environmental plan at least mentions support for local/regional agriculture and sustainable agriculture where Clinton's does not mention it. That of course doesn't mean she wouldn't support it but Obama appears to have it on his radar right now at least.

Those are the two major differences in energy/environmental policy plans that I see in the candidates published plans.

[cloudythescribbler]

13. When they discussed nuclear energy in the debates, Obama's position NOT more pro-nuke than HRC

Obama insisted that the technological problems (eg finding a safe way to store the waste) need to be solved before any further expansion of nuclear energy should be supported. That is for all practical purposes hardly different from Edwards' (no more nukes) position in practice in the short term future. Hillary was said by the press to be "agnostic" about nuclear energy, a position that is baffling but probably means she'll support it if they support her but just won't be gung-ho about it.

[YankeyMCC]

16. I based that statement on his history with Exelon

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/02/03/in_nuclear_bill_an_early_obama_test/

And don't take my statement to hard, I agree Clinton is probably just as likely to make the same sort of decisions under similar pressures/needs, it's just that we have one point of history to with Obama on Nuclear but nothing (unless you have something you can share) similar for Clinton. So my speculation that she would act similarly is just based on my subjective measure of her character and style.

I voted Obama in my state primary btw.

[OKIsItJustMe]

12. Edwards! ... oh ... yeah ... right ... Damn! n/t

[YankeyMCC]

14. sigh...i feel your pain

so to speak ;)

[jpak]

15. LOL!!!! My first thought too...

But he is opposed to nuclear energy and therefore cannot be considered "green" by sociopathic nuclear shills...

[The2ndWheel]

17. Are they promising growth and increased economic activity?

If they are, there won't be a whole lot that is sufficient environmentally.