Opposition politicians, and those campaigning for office, tend to be strong on promises but less keen to fulfil them when their time comes.
The US presidential campaign is different, however, if the Independent’s assessment of each candidate’ stance on climate change is accurate.
Only Democrat John Edwards and Republican nominee John McCain seem genuine in their talk of action to tackle climate change. Other Republicans are interested only in safeguarding America’s oil supply while Democrat hopeful Hilary Clinton’s plan to cut emissions is less than two months old, despite the length of time she’s been on the campaigning road and despite husband Bill’s apparent vigour for urging others to take action.
US governments are not known for their altruism particularly beyond the country’s shores. The eight presidential candidates need look no further than California, however, where they can learn from one of their own about how to win and retain power carrying a weighty climate change ticket.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his second term as governor, has worked hard to make US laws more sympathetic to the environment. He is tackling oil dependence in his own state and spearheading similar action by 16 other US states.
He wants one million solar roofs installed by 2018, significant improvements in water conservation and has set a target of cutting California’s greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent by 2020.
Governor Schwarzenegger says he wants to make California number one in the fight against global warming. America’s next president should want the same for their country, even, in John Edwards’ words, if it is only to grab back the ‘green jobs’ from China and India.
The Independent’s assessment is here http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article3303631.ece
More on Arnie’s policies here http://gov.ca.gov/
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