Dear EarthTalk: Where do the leading presidential candidates stand on the issue of climate change and other environmental issues? —Max S.

EarthTalk: The outcome of the 2008 presidential election could very well have a big impact on a wide range of environmental issues, especially climate change. All of the Democratic candidates— Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich—support reducing carbon dioxide emissions nationally upward of 80% by 2050 in order to stave off global warming.

Likewise, each would like to see fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks raised to at least 40 miles per gallon within the next few decades. Meanwhile, only one of the major Republican contenders, John McCain, has even articulated a position on the issue of global warming, with most favoring expanding our base of greenhouse-gas-spewing coal-fired power plants.

As for specific track records, Clinton has an impressive record of introducing pro-environment legislation into Congress, and for her time in the Senate scores a 90 (out of 100) on green voting from the nonprofit, nonpartisan League of Conservation Voters (LCV). Obama is newer to the politics of the environment, but scored a 96 for his two years in the Senate from LCV, and has garnered kudos from environmental leaders for the aggressive climate and energy plan he unveiled in October 2007.

Ohio Congressman

Dennis Kucinich wants to launch a Works Green Administration similar to the Works Progress Administration of the Great Depression, only this time to benefit the environment through the development of alternative energy technologies and infra- structures. John Edwards was the first candidate to make his campaign carbon neutral in March 2007, and greens consider him perhaps the most progressive of all the Democrats on the climate issue. On the Republican side, the environmental bright spots are few and far between. McCain is really the only choice with any declared concern for the environment.

In 2003 he co-sponsored the first Senate bill aimed at mandatory economywide reductions. While the bill didn’t garner enough votes to pass, it set the stage for future iterations that could put the United States on par with European nations as leaders in the fight to cut carbon emissions. McCain is also the only Republican candidate specifically opposed to drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Mike Huckabee scores some points with greens for his willingness to consider a specific increase in automotive fuel efficiency standards and for his (limited) embrace of alternative energy. Mitt Romney is willing to consider a cap on emissions, but only if enacted on a global basis (including China and India). The remaining Republicans (Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson and Ron Paul) have, at best, been noncommittal on climate change and environmental issues in general.

Contact: For more detailed information on specific candidates’ positions and track records on environmental issues, check out the League of Conservation Voters’ Voter Guide at www.lcv.org/voterguide. Got an environmental question? Send it to: earthtalk@emagazine.com.

What’s your take? Write: editor@shepex.com.