Tough questions for candidates on global warming

by: gohlkus

Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 14:59:09 PM PST

With the February 5th primary election approaching rapidly, in which voters in California and 21 other states will pick which presidential candidates represent each party, we have a rare opportunity to make a monumental decision.

For the first time in years, we have an opportunity to elect a president who will give the global climate crisis the level of attention that is required to tackle it.

But how are we to know where the candidates stand on global warming, if reporters simply refuse to ask the right questions? Of the 2,938 questions asked of the presidential candidates since January 2007, just 6 mentioned global warming (source: League of Conservation Voters).

So the California League of Conservation Voters is taking matters into our own hands. Read on....

The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) has asked presidential candidates four critical questions about global warming, in short:

1. If elected, will you allow states to lead on global warming, in the way that California has?
2. Will you support a cap on greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2020 and an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050?
3. Will you support an all-out federal/state cooperative effort to rapidly expand investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy?
4. Will you support a federal program to impose maximum technologically feasible, cost-effective controls on ships, trains, and trucks to reduce air pollution that causes global warming and accelerates melting of polar ice caps?

California's voters, and those throughout the nation, need as much information as possible when deciding which presidential candidate to support. That's why we're asking candidates these tough questions.

We've asked the presidential candidates to provide their answers by Friday. We'll let you know before Tuesday what happens.

Read the full text of the questions here. (The press release is here.)

Sign up for CLCV's e-alert list to be notified when the candidates provide their answers.

(Cross-posted to CLCV Blog and DailyKos -- please recommend!)

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Jason Gohlke, California League of Conservation Voters