Climate Politics
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In series of video spoofs, Grist tries to stump the candidates with tough climate questions
While sitting on a panel about bias in the media, Dan Rather called out the contrived format of the presidential debates, saying, “First of all, these aren’t debates. They are a ‘something,’ but they aren’t debates.” We feel ya, Dan. Which is why we sought out the meatiest environmental questions that talented Grist actors the […]
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Presidential candidates meet for their final showdown tonight
With just 20 days to go before the election, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama will meet at Hofstra University for their third and final debate tonight at 9 p.m. EDT. Their ultimate encounter, moderated by Bob Schieffer of CBS News, will focus on domestic and economic policy. Might we hear some questions (or, […]
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ESA can’t help protect species from climate change, Bush admin argues
The Endangered Species Act can’t be used to spur regulation of specific sources of greenhouse-gas emissions in the United States, according to new memos outlining the Bush administration’s legal arguments on the matter. One of the memos, from a top Interior Department lawyer, reasons that since it can’t be proved that greenhouse-gas emissions from a […]
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Canada’s election deals defeat to Liberal Party and carbon tax
Canada’s national election on Tuesday strengthened the country’s Conservative Party minority in Parliament and summarily killed hopes for a national carbon tax to fight global warming. The carbon tax plan, which would have levied a tax on most fossil fuels but would have been offset by income-tax reductions, was a main plank of Liberal leader […]
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Canadian elections strengthen Conservatives, drinkers
Well, it was a short, boring campaign, and, uh, nothing really happened. I’m writing this before the polls have all reported in, but the Conservatives have almost certainly gained a couple dozen seats, putting them just — just — short of a majority government. The Liberals have run on a campaign of trying to be […]
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News tidbits from the presidential race
• The Salt Lake Tribune has an in-depth look at Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s records and rhetoric on energy, honing in on a number of specific issues, from renewables to oil shale to “clean coal.” There’s even a handy chart. • Washington Post columnist Andrew Freedman looks at how the presidential candidates might reshape […]
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In video series, Grist tries to stump the candidates with tough climate questions
Running Out of Gas? When watching the presidential and vice presidential debates, ever get the feeling the candidates aren’t really answering the questions? Especially when it comes to, ahem, climate and energy issues? Grist took to the streets to find everyday citizens (if you consider Grist employees everyday citizens) willing to ask the […]
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Environment America says McCain’s nuclear expansion would be ‘an economic disaster’
Environment America today released a new report looking at the environmental implications of John McCain’s plan to build 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030, and 100 over time. Their report concludes that McCain’s plan would be “an economic and environmental disaster.” Environment America, which has endorsed Democrat Barack Obama in the presidential election, found that […]
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Why scientists aren’t more persuasive, part 2
In 2007, NPR broadcast a now-infamous climate debate on the proposition “Global warming is not a crisis.” In theory, this sounds like an easy win for the “nay” side — “crisis” is obviously the mildest of words to describe the greatest preventable existential threat to the health and well-being of future generations. But in practice […]
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The new dean of the Washington press corps advances the cause of economic illiteracy
If you’ll pardon me, I’m going to keep harping on this theme. This column from Dan Balz — the New Broder — is absurd for any number of reasons, but I particularly want to draw attention to this bit, which distills Very Serious conventional wisdom: Nor is it evident that [Obama] has dealt realistically with […]
