Whether it’s the US agreeing to greenhouse gas emissions targets, passing federal cap-and-trade legislation or allowing climate scientists to speak out about their work, the accepted wisdom has been that such things will come about once George W is replaced as president.
But John McCain’s surprise pick of Sarah Palin, the Alaskan governor, as his running mate could throw that theory out the window – at least if the Republicans are elected to the White House. And if national polls are anything to go by, it looks like, whoever wins in November, it’s going to be close.
How either candidate would, once in office, balance the need for energy security and independence with sharp reductions in greenhouse gases remains to be seen. But at the very least both Obama and McCain recognise the role of human activity in climate change, and the need to do something about it.
Palin, on the other hand, apparently doesn’t, as has been widely reported on the blogosphere. Check out the coverage over on Salon, Climate Progress, and on the Christian Science Monitor’s blog, which reports the following:
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry called her a member of the “flat-earth caucus” this morning on ABC News’ “This Week.”
“With the choice of Gov. Palin, it’s the third term of Dick Cheney,” he said. “He’s chosen somebody who doesn’t believe climate change is man-made.”
Kerry seems to be accurate describing her opinion on climate change. She did tell Newsmax she wasn’t convinced.
“A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location,” Palin said. “I’m not one though who would attribute it to being man-made.”
Her position contrasts with official GOP line on climate change, so it’s hard to know what comprises would be made on this issue if the pair get elected. But the fact that McCain has chosen Palin as a running mate has left some questioning his commitment to tackling climate change. In the meantime, Obama has responded to a 14-part questionnaire from Science Debate 2008 on how he would address some big issues in science, while McCain has yet to respond.
Olive Heffernan