Clark on Environmental Issues

[StephNW4Clark]

His detailed response to the League of Conservation Voters questionnaire.

http://www.enviros4clark.com/lcv.shtml

"The U.S., with 4% of the world’s population, is the largest emitter of gases that cause global warming; it is responsible for contributing over 23% of world carbon dioxide emissions. Two- thirds of the U.S. carbon dioxide pollution comes from transportation and energy generation. We have the technology and know-how to lead the world in energy efficiency and clean energy, while creating good-paying jobs here at home and strengthening America’s economy."

"Yes. The U.S. should increase its funding for international population assistance, which advances U.S. foreign policy goals by promoting sustainable population development and health. This funding supports family planning and related reproductive health services through programs administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Such programs directly benefit tens of millions of couples each year, improving both maternal and child health and contributing to slower population growth rates. Despite the fact that the United States is the largest bilateral funding source for population assistance programs, the United States is still not contributing its fair share of the funds needed. From the perspective of national wealth, the United States is dead last among donor nations in overall development assistance, contributing only 0.1% of its wealth. As President, I support giving women all over the world access to information they deserve to make crucial personal health decisions -- decisions that ultimately affect the ability of our planet to sustain healthy populations."

"Specifically, as President, I want to work with the American people to:

· reverse failed Bush administration policies on clean air, water quality, forests, wilderness and more;
· advance comprehensive "four pollutant" legislation to keep our air clean, including binding limits on emissions of carbon dioxide;
· strengthen automotive fuel efficiency standards, in consultation with scientists, environmental groups, industry and others;
· protect our nation's wetlands by enforcing a "no net loss" policy, and restore budgets for sewage plants and stormwater controls;
· codify and enforce the “Roadless Rule," which bans new road building on millions of acres of national forest;
· promote environmentally-friendly technologies with tax incentives and federal procurement;
· re-enter the international negotiations to address global warming; and
· increase funding for fighting deforestation and protecting biodiversity around the world;

These steps are just a start. To ensure a healthy environment for future generations, we must take responsible action today."

[TexasPatriot]

1. wow

i love this sort of thing... he doesnt just answer with a plattitude, he tends to throw a fact in here and there to demonstrate he understands the issue at a deeper level. I know other candidates have detailed environmental stances too - but remembering how new this guy is to the scene this is pretty remarkable.

[StephNW4Clark]

2. Please read the whole thing!

This is only a sampling of his responses, which range to discussions on fuel efficiency and global warming to the critical role of the environment as integral to national security. Love those intellecutal link-ups.

[HootieMcBoob]

3. thanks for the link

O8)

[bearfartinthewoods]

4. one thing...well two actually

thebig problem i have with Clark is his lack of history..no votes casr, no plicy or programs pushed. at this point he can 'say' anything he feels he needs to say but there is no way to prove that he means it.

another thing...the bush rollback on water quality is tricky. i'm pretty sure clinton really did enact some extreme standards in his last days in office as a gotcha to bush, if we try and ennact the gotcha standards all hell is going to break out with the munincipalitues.

[StephNW4Clark]

5. Well, actually...

...you're right in the sense that there is no "public" record similar to a legislator/governor/public official. However, there is a record. In this link provided, Clark discusses his experience pushing environmentally responsible programs within the military, and specifically addresses conflicts between the DoD and land use and environmental protection.

And to your point that there's no way to prove that he means it...well, if you're going to be cynical about one candidate, you have to be cynical about them all. Presidential politics is a whole different ballgame for anyone, and most of these platforms are dependent on getting a Dem Congress. If that doesn't happen, then most of what any of the candidates are saying is unlikely to be fulfilled.

[grannylib]

6. Eisenhower had no past as a candidate/elected official either....

[izzie]

7. I am more interested in if he is a West Point man that does not like war.

This stuff we must do if we are going to live on Earth. I do not like the war lovers. We are like Nelson's man of war turning to boardsides to fire our guns.At any one we feel like and who we do not like or will not do as we wish. It is more scary that when Russia had its eyes on us and we them.