Much coverage today devoted to John Edwards’ global warming plan: from the SF Chronicle, for example. Not a very in-depth article, but it’s encouraging that (a) Edwards has a good plan and (b) it’s getting covered in the MSM.
Below is another article from “Environment & Energy Daily” (subscription only; it was forwarded to me) about John Edwards’ global warming plan.
CAMPAIGN 2008: John Edwards rolls out climate strategy
Alex Kaplun, E&ENews PM reporter
Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards unveiled his plans today for addressing global warming change, calling for a mandatory cap on greenhouse-gas emissions and implementation of a new climate treaty to include developing nations.
In a speech at a biomass facility in Iowa, the former North Carolina senator framed his plan as a way to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a new energy economy that would yield 1 million new jobs.
“Our generation must be the one that says, ‘We must halt global warming,'” Edwards said. “If we don’t act now, it will be too late.”
Edwards’ plan calls for the creation of a cap-and-trade system to cap emissions starting in 2010 and then reduce emissions by 15 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.
Additionally, Edwards said he would craft a new climate treaty that would include developing nations and said, if neccessary, he would be willing to use trade agreements to force them to reduce GHG emissions. And Edwards said he would create a $10 billion energy fund that will help pay for research in alternative energy technologies and energy efficiency.
The League of Conservation Voters, which has not yet endorsed a candidate for president, described Edwards’ plan as the “most comprehensive global warming plan of any presidential candidate to date.”
“Senator Edwards’ plan demonstrates that he understands the magnitude of the challenge before us and the need for bold leadership to meet it,” LCV President Gene Karpinski said.