Environmental Concerns Climb Higher on Political Issues List

12 August 2008

Candidates who make environment a priority get advocacy group support

By Lea Terhune
Staff Writer

Washington -- Environmental advocacy has a long history in the United States, but recently, advocacy groups have gained more political influence as the effects of global warming are acknowledged. The groups actively support or oppose political candidates after assessing their environmental credentials.

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is prominent in political action. Its stated goal is “turning environmental values into national priorities,” which it attempts to do through informing voters about environmental issues and mobilizing grassroots support. Independent and nonpartisan, it maintains a “national environmental scorecard” on important legislation and a “presidential report card.”

“There is a growing consensus among people about the environment and our future,” LCV spokesman David Sandretti told America.gov. “Environmentalism in the past tended to be more parochial,” with people concerned about local causes. Today, local, national and global issues are coming together as scientists gather more evidence of the widespread effects of climate change.

Water- and air-quality concerns transcend state and national boundaries, and when it comes to the future of the environment, “we share a common agenda,” Sandretti said.

Reducing carbon dioxide emissions through cutting fossil fuel use is crucial. But, Sandretti said, “There is political momentum for oil drilling,” despite the Department of Energy assessment that drilling would not significantly mitigate fuel price increases either in the short or long term.

Results from an LCV survey released August 11 show that voters polled prefer national renewable energy development over massive investment in oil drilling, with 83 percent favoring decreased U.S. dependence on foreign oil for investment in clean, alternative energy, like wind and solar power.

Sandretti called the energy plan being promoted by billionaire T. Boone Pickens an “interesting proposal” and its emphasis on decreasing carbon dioxide-emitting fuel use while developing wind power capacity “great.”  (See ”Clean-Energy Fuels Create Buzz on Capitol Hill.”)

The LCV promotes candidates with green agendas in national, state and local elections and opposes those with policies deemed detrimental to the environment. It helped defeat 23 out of 37 “anti-environmental candidates” since 1996, according to its Web site.

The LCV, joined by the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth Action, Defenders of Wildlife and others, recently endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president in 2008.

Obama’s voting record, which the group says is consistently pro-environment and favors clean energy, earned this support. Sandretti said he is encouraged that the environment is also on presumed Republican candidate John McCain’s list of important issues, but, he added, three out of four of McCain’s votes while a legislator have been what the group views as against environmental protection.

McCain has disagreed with the Bush administration by backing a cap-and-trade plan in which polluters are allowed to emit only a certain amount of carbon dioxide but can purchase extra pollution credits from less-polluting companies.  He also supports automotive fuel efficiency standards. But McCain’s call for lifting the moratorium on offshore oil drilling and building 45 nuclear reactors alarms environmental groups.

In an August 4 speech Obama said he does not believe drilling is an energy solution, but “I am willing to consider it if it's necessary to actually pass a comprehensive plan" in Congress.

Sandretti is quick to mention that the LCV looks at voting records, not the political affiliation of a candidate. For instance, Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins has earned high marks on the LCV scorecard.

Besides keeping track of votes and legislation, LCV independently supports campaigns of pro-environment candidates, like that of Colorado Democrat Mark Udall, by paying for radio and television ads, canvassing and phone drives. The group makes direct donations and keeps issues alive in the media.

LCV is the first environmental organization to set up a donation clearinghouse for environmentally savvy candidates, Sandretti said. A supporter can donate to a candidate through LCV to underline the importance of environmental concerns, similar to how Democratic ActBlue and Republican RedState funnel campaign contributions to their candidates, but with a specific issue focus. (See “Internet Revolutionizes Campaign Fundraising.”)

Labor unions are joining grassroots environmental activists too. When Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope announced that organization’s support of Barack Obama, he did so jointly with the United Steelworkers, one of America’s largest unions.

The Sierra Club, the nation’s oldest, largest environmental advocacy group, also runs voter education campaigns and helps elect and re-elect pro-environment candidates, as do Friends of the Earth and Natural Resources Defense Council.

And now some evangelical Christians have become environmental activists, further swelling the numbers of voters calling for new policies. (See “What Do Evangelicals Want in 2008?.”)