For the first time, both major party candidates for the presidency are deeply concerned about global climate change and publicly support a mandatory, economy-wide cap-and-trade system [1] for reducing the U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to global climate change. Global climate change now occupies a place of unprecedented importance in American politics, as the debate has advanced beyond the causes of global climate change [2] to the actions needed to address it. This guide outlines key climate positions of Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama, examines the records of their respective vice-presidential nominees, and details relevant portions of the Republican and Democratic Party platforms, with links to related resources focused on critical climate change policy issues.
As a non-partisan policy center, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change will not be endorsing a specific candidate, and will be working to inform the policies of whoever is elected president. This brief guide discusses a few notable details of the presidential contenders’ plans to combat global climate change. A detailed, bullet-point summary of the candidates’ policies is contained in the appendix [3].
Download the full guide [4] (pdf)
Alternatively, you can jump directly to specific portions of the guide by clicking on the corresponding links below:
<!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} -->
Links:
[1] http://www.pewclimate.org./cap-and-trade
[2] http://www.pewclimate.org./global-warming-basics/science-brief-092006
[3] http://www.pewclimate.org./voter-guide/appendix
[4] http://www.pewclimate.org./docUploads/voters-guide-final.pdf
[5] http://www.pewclimate.org./voter-guide/cap-and-trade
[6] http://www.pewclimate.org./voter-guide/complementary-policies
[7] http://www.pewclimate.org./voter-guide/international
[8] http://www.pewclimate.org./voter-guide/epa-co2
[9] http://www.pewclimate.org./voter-guide/campaign
[10] http://www.pewclimate.org./voter-guide/vps
[11] http://www.pewclimate.org./voter-guide/party-platforms