America has a huge impact on the environment and due to the raising awareness, the environment has become an important topic in the presidential debate.
On one extreme is the Kyoto protocol with its ambitious targets and the other extreme is the belief that global warming is a myth and we don’t need to do anything about it. Where should America stand?
Studies show that the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last 30 years, polar ice caps are melting and ocean levels are rising. Scientists suggest that green house gas emissions are the biggest cause of this catastrophic change. An elaborate plan is required to counter the sharp increase in these emissions are other pollutants.
Manufacturing industry is one of the biggest pollutants. Forcing these companies to reduce emissions could potentially lead to loss of jobs and hurt the economy.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 by imposing a cap and trade system
Set a national renewable portfolio standard of 20 percent to require that at least 20 percent of the country's electricity comes from clean, renewable sources - just 2.3 percent of our power comes from these sources today
Raise fuel economy standards so that the U.S. reaches a 40 mpg average by 2017 (the current average is 27.5 mpg) and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by more than a 100 million tons a year
Require the federal government to purchase 10 percent renewable electricity by 2010 and 20 percent by the end of the next decade
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Has voted consistent with his position
NO to reduce funding for renewable and solar energy
NO to terminating Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards
YES to reduce oil usage by 40% by 2025
YES to stop drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
YES to eliminate oil and gas exploration subsidies
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An aggressive comprehensive energy efficiency agenda to reduce electricity consumption 20 percent from projected levels by 2020
A $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund, paid for in part by oil companies, to fund investments in alternative energy
Aggressive action to transition the economy towards renewable energy sources, with renewables generating 25 percent of electricity by 2025 and with 60 billion gallons of home-grown biofuels available for cars and trucks by 2030
An increase in fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, and $20 billion of "Green Vehicle Bonds" to help U.S. automakers retool their plants to meet the standards
A plan to catalyze a thriving green building industry by investing in green collar jobs and helping to modernize and retrofit 20 million low-income homes to make them more energy efficient
Creation of a "National Energy Council" within the White House to ensure implementation of the plan across the Executive Branch
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Has voted consistent with her position.
NO to terminating Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards
YES to reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025
YES to stop drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
YES to eliminating oil and gas exploration subsidies
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