 Joe Biden (D)
"If I could wave a wand, and the Lord said I could solve one problem, I would solve the energy crisis. That's the single most consequential problem we can solve. It's what you have to do to get greenhouse gases under control."
|
Sarah Palin (R)
"A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I'm not one though who would attribute [global warming] to being man-made."
|
It's Getting Hot In Here (Climate Change)
|
- Not only thinks climate change is real and is a force to be reckoned with, he calls it "not merely an environmental issue, it is a security issue."
- Introduced legislation calling for an international cleantech fund of $2 billion
- Calls for a national cap-and-trade system and an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
|
- Doesn't think humans are causing global warming: she says, "A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made." Sure, Palin. The IPCC is just wrong. Let's trust you instead.
|
Burning the Midnight Oil (Traditional Fuels)
|
- Says energy security is his "top priority"
- Proposed a $50 billion "Apollo Project" to address energy issues
- Advocated requiring major gas stations to add more biofuel pumps
|
- Chairs the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, a multi-state agency that "member states efficiently maximize oil and natural gas resources through sound regulatory practices while protecting our nation's health, safety and the environment."
- Accepted $5,000 in campaign contributions in 2001 during her unsuccessful campaign for Alaska lieutenant governor from executives at VECO, Alaska's largest oil contracting firm.
- Her husband works for BP Oil
- Advocates "mutually beneficial relationships with the oil industry"
- Believes it's "God's will" that a natural gas pipeline be built through Alaska.
|
It's Okay To Be Different (Alternative Energy and Energy Efficiency)
|
- Advoted updating building codes, expanding the Energy Star program, and increasing incentives for energy efficiency in commercial buildings
- Sponsored the FLIP-to-SAVE bill which would provide $50 million in grants for states to distribute compact fluorescent light bulbs and educate residents (he says "there are lots of little things we can do to make a gigantic change")
- Thinks biofuels are a good starting point
|
- Doesn't seem to be a big fan of alternative energy: "Alternative-energy solutions are far from imminent and would require more than 10 years to develop."
- Believes we can drill our way out of our energy problems. It's all about oil with Palin.
|
Emission-free power...really? (Nuclear Power)
|
- Sees nuclear power as possibly having "a role"
- "I would not invest in [growing our nuclear-power capacity in its current form]"
|
- During her speech at the Republican National Convention, she said "in a McCain-Palin administration...we're going to build more nuclear plants"
|
You Drive Me Crazy (Transportation)
|
- Supports increasing federal funding to improve the rail system.
- Rides Amtrak every day Congress is in session.
- Supports raising fuel economy standards by 1 mpg each year, doubling investment in development of lithium ion batteries, requiring new vehicles to be flex-fuel, and requiring major gas stations to sell alternative fuels.
|
- Sold the state's jet (which the previous corrupt governor should never have bought to begin with).
- Husband is a champion snowmobile racer.
- Her love affair with oil suggests that her support of alternative fuel technology will be minimal at best.
|
Take Refuge (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Biodiversity)
|
- Opposes drilling for oil in ANWR: he's voted against exploration repeatedly
- Calls for US leadership to protect biodiversity
|
- Fully supports opening ANWR for drilling
- Sued the Interior Department over its decision to list polar bears as a threatened species (she calls it "unwarranted...based on uncertain climate models")
- Opposed the restriction of new mining operations which could negatively impact salmon fisheries
- Supported aerial hunting of wolves and promoted more killings by offering a bounty for each dead wolf
- Hangs out with a dead grizzly bear in her office
|
CONCLUSION: Gaia loves you, Joe.
|
CONCLUSION: Run, polar bears, run.
|
