Greening it

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Next week, Kansas Democrats and Republicans will rock out with their caucuses out to choose a candidate for the presidential election.

Unfortunately, little has been brought up at either side’s debates about the environment, excluding a snowman that apparently posted video questions on YouTube for one of the first Democratic debates this season.

Here is a quick look at how “green” each of the remaining candidates are.

Democrats

Hillary Clinton

Clinton has spent her Senate years as a member of the Environment and Public Works committee, so she understands the need for change.

She was on Wal-Mart’s board of directors from 1986-1992 and may still be bogged down by “big business.” She probably won’t find global warming solutions in Aisle 5.

Barack Obama

Obama received endorsements from the Sierra Club and The League of Conservation Voters for his position in the Senate. He has fewer ties to polluting industries and should be able to choose better advisers.

He supports the now-typical cap-and-trade program* to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050, a lofty (and easily avoidable) goal.

John Edwards

First candidate to make his campaign carbon-neutral and the first to propose many touted talking points, such as the 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050.

Support of ethanol as an alternative fuel source, even though its efficiency and cost-effectiveness have been called into question.

Mike Gravel

Work with other countries to reduce emissions, outlaw coal as an energy source.

Is anyone sure he’s still running for president? I think he just likes seeing himself on YouTube.

Republicans

Rudy Giuliani

Um, turn the lights off when you leave the room?

Supports an increased reliance on coal and domestic oil. At least the haze from unregulated greenhouse gases should avert potential terrorists.

Mike Huckabee

Draws in the much-needed Evangelical conservatives with the 11th Commandment: Father God created Mother Earth.

What would Jesus do? I suppose He would support coal pollution and be vague about setting goals.

Mitt Romney

Supports plans for energy independence and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

After claiming that people don’t want change in the White House and being tied to a global warming denier group, he’s not too interested.

Ron Paul

Would end subsidies to the oil industry and believes that war is a contributor to pollution problems.

Paul’s campaign is determined by the free market.

John McCain

First Republican to talk seriously on the issue and to understand the connection between global warming and national security.

Ironically, the driver of the Straight Talk Express hasn’t mentioned any specific targets to combat climate change.

Candidate information from: www.grist.org

Enivonmental: How green should we go?

Candidates' platforms cater to green interests.

/news/2008/nov/03/enivonmental_how_green_should_we_go/

Candidates discuss positions on environmental issues

The Kansan spoke with local State Senate and State House candidates, asking ...

/news/2008/jul/08/q_and_a/

Durbin: Sebelius made right decision

Governor’s pulled support for coal plant will prevent pollution

/news/2007/oct/26/durbin/

Baby Steps

How five days without a car helped Jayplay writer Courtney Hagen realize ...

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McNaughton: Proof of climate change clear, but ...

It should be common sense by now that climate change is occurring.

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Fired up about coal

Lawrence’s coal-fired plant contributes to high asthma rates, river pollution.

/news/2009/may/06/fired_about_coal/

Department receives $5 million grant

Geology at the University given money to research storing CO2 underground.

/news/2009/nov/12/grant/

Biking to protest dirty fuel

Student members of Greenpeace will travel to Rep. Dennis Moore’s offices today ...

/news/2008/oct/29/bike/

Politically Correct: Should Kansans support climate change ...

Columnists debate whether Kansans should get involved with climate change legislation.

/news/2009/nov/03/should-kansans-support-climate-change-legislation/

Evaluating presidential platforms

Obama and McCain differ on three major points during campaign.

/news/2008/nov/03/evaluating_presidential/

Adams: Climate change progress possible

Obama should allow the United States to be the climate change leader ...

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Cohen: Now it’s much easier being green

Facebook groups, hybrid cars offer new ways to be environmentally friendly.

/news/2007/nov/26/cohen/

Lowell: Two steps forward, one step back

Allowing off-shore drilling is a political compromise, but keep big picture in ...

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Editorial: Don't make Holcomb another crime scene

The proposed coal-fired power plants in Holcomb would contribute 11 million tons ...

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Petterson: Coal power given unnecessary attention

Other alternatives to growing energy needs prove more plausible.

/news/2007/oct/19/petterson/

Free: Global warming doesn’t depend on weather

Despite scientists across the world confirming and re-confirming data on climate change, ...

/news/2011/feb/16/free-global-warming-doesnt-depend-weather/

Students support climate action

Lawrence participates in a national movement to educate citizens and encourage change ...

/news/2007/apr/16/climate/

NASA researcher discusses climate change

James Hansen speaks about CO2 emissions and the crisis’ ongoing challenges.

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Candidates include four newcomers

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KGS tests underground for CO2 storage

CO2 storage may be stored in an underground rock structure called the ...

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Westar complies with Clean Air Act standards

The company's Lawrence Energy Center has started installing new pollution control technologies.

/news/2012/feb/07/westar-complies-clean-air-act-standards/

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Follow our coverage of local elections from reporters and wire services throughout ...

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Secretary to lecture about climate change

Roderick Bremby gained national attention for rejecting the construction of two coal ...

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City commission strives to go green

The Task Force would create goals to lower greenhouse gas emissions in ...

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Keith: Jesus is coming; look busy

The ten commandments of environmental love

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Power plant proposals under scrutiny

University students are worried about the environmental impact two proposed coal-fired power ...

/news/2008/feb/20/power_plant_proposals_under_scrutiny/

Letter to the Editor: Cap and trade ...

Government regulations harmful for American businesses.

/news/2010/mar/04/letter-editor/

Three counties vote in Republican caucus, Huckabee ...

A crowded, but successful, Republican caucus brought hundreds of voters from three ...

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Kansan bloggers' take on the prolonged primaries

Joshua Anderson, Andy Greenhaw and Kelsey Hayes discuss the ramifications of the ...

/news/2008/jun/13/kansan_bloggers_prolonged_primaries/

Oberthaler: How your rock collection could fix ...

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People can make a difference in global ...

Global warming won't stop when carbon dioxide emissions are cut.

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Former University professor and Nobel prize winner ...

F. Sherwood Rowland, University professor from 1956 to 1964, died at 84 ...

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Thompson: Turning up the heat: Climate change ...

Thompson says Kansas temperatures will rise by 2100.

/news/2009/sep/09/thompson_turning_heat_climate_change_will_devastat/

Power plant construction alarms Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is suing the state of Kansas because of a ...

/news/2007/apr/12/pollution/

Brinker: Living in a "compact fluorescent light ...

Americans accept that something needs to be done to save the environment...

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Cohen: Student involvement increases during 2008 election ...

Exciting candidates and campus groups contribute to a strong political atmosphere

/news/2007/dec/04/cohen_student_involvement_increases_during_2008_el/

Edwards, Giuliani abandon race

Democrat John Edwards and Republican Rudy Giuliani have dropped out of the ...

/news/2008/jan/30/edwards_giuliani_abandon_race/

Support legislation to prevent climate change

Editorial board wants government to pass preventative climate change legislation.

/news/2009/sep/22/opinion_editorialboard/

Editorial: Support legislation for climate change