Environmentally Friendly Campaigns

No politician would be wise to ignore environmental concerns. Although environmental issues may not be at the forefront of all American's minds, such issues will shape much of the future presidency. Depending on how the new president views these issues depends on whether security, the economy, or social inequalities will be examined. In this close presidential race, each candidate has spouted their share of ideas for making the United States more environmentally friendly. Each of them differ in drastic ways, as they each view the problem differently. Each provide very different solutions, which could all work, but it is up to the American people to choose based on how they see the problems and what they believe to be the best solutions.
On his campaign website, John McCain lists a variety of steps he could ensure will take place to make America more environmentally friendly, if he were elected. Such policies include, "Ensuring clean air, safe and healthy water, sustainable land use, ample greenspace - and the faithful care and management of our natural treasures, including our proud National Park System" (as stated on http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/65bd0fbe-737b-4851-a7e7-d9a37cb278db.htm). He insists, like a market liberal, that the economy and the environment are linked. Sustaining resources and our clean environment is in the best interest of our economy and vice versa. A stronger economy allows us to focus more on our environment and allows us with more opportunities of finding a solution. Although his website does not mention much about the actual steps he would take to ensure his promises, one can speculate that as a market liberal, his solutions will stem from strengthening the economy. He mentions that he would encourage more technologies and reduce our dependence of foreign energy in order to speed up and strengthen our own economy. Knowing that he is a market liberal and his possible solutions allows us to better evaluate whether he is the right candidate. Is the economy the main component in the I=PAT equation? Reducing our dependence on foreign oil and energy supplies may strengthen our own economy in one aspect, but will hurt it in others. Countries supplying us with the oil will no longer have the US dollars to trade, and therefore, our imports and exports will be negatively effected. This approach will drive consumerism, placing a larger role on developing countries, which supply our goods, on impacting the environment. As the environment is a shared commodity, reducing the US emissions and pollutants and encouraging our forests while devastating others will not provide a solution for solving our environmental problems.
Barack Obama shows some market liberal tendencies as well. If he were elected he promises to introduce a cap and trade system in which pollution credits could be auctioned off and encourage technological breakthroughs that will enhance our ability to be sustained by clean energy. He would set standards for auto manufacturers and help them to meet these standards. Each of his proposals involves providing more jobs for Americans. This will, in return, also help to strengthen the economy and perpetuate the funding for the programs. In this respect, Obama is a lot like McCain. He views the economy as a tool for encouraging environmental solutions and vice versa. However, Obama also believes in strengthening international institutions, which identifies him as a Institutionalist. Unlike McCain, Obama proposes to introduce a "New Forum of Largest Green House Gas Emitters," which would encourage international cooperation. This could potentially solve the problems McCain's campaign present. Other countries may have their voices heard as to how our policies, pollutants, and market driven ideals affect them. Obama also wishes to strengthen our ties with the UN. He proposes that we re-engage in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. His ideas involves solving our environmental concerns through strengthening our economy, but he also implies that the US cannot solve them alone. International cooperation and further steps will need to be taken. Of the two candidates, it seems that Obama's presidency would be more environmentally green.