Whole Foods Ditches Plastic & So Can You

Whole Foods has decided that it will no longer use plastic bags to package your groceries at the check-out lane. Their reason for doing this is simple. Plastic bags are bad for the earth.

Why? Plastic bags are made using petroleum. You probably know that burning petroleum releases carbon dioxide into the air. It is believed that the release of carbon dioxide is the cause of global climate change. Petroleum is also difficult to obtain and requires political relationships with nefarious nations. Plastic bags do not break-down in the dump and the cost of recycling them is actually more than the cost of manufacturing a new one.

Whole Foods isn't the first group to quit using plastic bags. The Chinese government passed a ban last year because of the environmental damage and lifespan of plastic bags. Other countries and some of our states have considered a similar ban.

Whole Foods will begin cutting out plastic bags on April 22nd in commemoration of Earth Day. To prepare, begin collecting any cloth bags you might have around your house. If you don't have any cloth bags or if you'd like some bags specifically for grocery shopping, you can buy some HERE. Keep some bags in your trunk, at work, and maybe in your purse.

You will feel great knowing you are reducing our country's reliance on oil and helping to keep plastic bags out of garbage dumps or nature. Plus, cloth bags are more reliable and tough. So when Whole Foods makes the change-over on April 22nd, make sure you do too!

Sign the McCain/Obama Carbon Neutral Petition

I don't know if you are aware of this or not, but neither Senator John McCain nor Senator Barack Obama have made their campaigns carbon neutral. What does this mean? This means that neither candidate is investing any of the millions of dollars their campaigns have raised to offset the pollution from their many plane and bus rides.

By purchasing carbon offsets, Obama and McCain would mitigate their campaign's greenhouse gas emissions by funding renewable energy research. This could result in more American jobs, improved national security, and a healthier planet.

Both Senators have proposed "Cap & Trade" emissions programs in the past that operate in a very similar way to carbon credit markets. Why would they propose a program that they won't participate in themselves? Its time for these candidates to stop just talking the talk and to start walking the walk on real environmental policy reform.

Please sign the petition to urge Senators John McCain and Barack Obama to make their campaigns carbon neutral. Environmental leadership isn't just a campaign slogan, its a principle that must be followed now.

An Earth-Friendly, Free, Relaxing Home Manicure

I've never had a manicure before. I have, however, walked by the manicure shop before and been struck by the overwhelming scent of chemicals radiating from the place. Inhaling all those chemicals and flushing them down drains must be bad for you and the environment. What if you want to have a manicure in the comfort of your own home, free of the stench of toxic chemicals?

It is possible to give yourself a great manicure at home that is "green." First, put on some relaxing music. Then, pour a glass of that organic wine you just purchased. Finally, follow the directions from Care2.com below.

• File your nails, going in one direction only. (No sawing!)

• Wash your hands, then soak them in warm water, buttermilk, or organic apple cider vinegar. The acids in the buttermilk or vinegar will help to slough off dead skin cells.

• Apply a cold-pressed oil (olive oil will do fine) into your cuticles, near the half-moon shape you can see at the base of your nails. Use the blunt end of an orange-wood stick to gently push the cuticles back from the nails.

• Dry your hands. Using a fine pumice stone or fine-grit sandpaper block, sand the tops of your nails to get rid of any ridges. Smooth the nail tops with a smoothing file and finish with a buffing chamois. Your nails will be amazingly shiny, almost as if you were wearing clear nail polish.

• Use a moisturizing cream or lotion to massage your hands and nails.

Gray Wolves No Longer Endangered?

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is under constant political pressure by those who believe that it places more emphasis on protecting plants & animals than on encouraging property development & economic gains. (If you read my piece on Ecosystems Services, you can probably figure out my position in this debate)

With that said, every now and then, we hear a success story about the return of a species from the brink of extinction thanks to the ESA that impresses even the most hardened cynics. The survival of the gray wolf in the Northern Rockies is just such a success story.

In the beginning of the 20th century, gray wolves were seeing their habitat destroyed and encroached upon by humans. These humans brought with them farm animals like sheep and chickens that seemed like easy prey to the natural predatorial instincts of wolves. Eventually, humans began hunting wolves in an effort to diminish their population and protect the farm animals.

The gray wolf population became so low that it appeared the species was going to become extinct. As a result, the wolf was placed on the Endangered Species List and its habitat underwent the legal protection that comes with this placement. In addition, the U.S. Department of Interior began plans for reintroducing displaced wolf populations back into their natural habitat.

Reintroduction of a species into a habitat where its numbers have dwindled is a controversial act. In the case of the gray wolf, it was especially controversial. The area where the wolves would be introduced is now home to thousands of acres of cattle ranches. The ranchers did not appreciate natural predators being parachuted onto their land. As a compromise, Defenders of Wildlife, an environmental organization, agreed to reimburse cattle ranchers for any of their animals that were killed or harmed by the wolf reintroduction.

After a 13-year restoration effort, the gray wolf populations have reached a sustainable level. Unfortunately, the threats to this species still exist. In fact, it could be argued that taking them off the Endangered Species List will put them at high risk to become endangered again. However, the ESA is meant to serve as a safety net, not a perpetual force field. Hopefully all parties involved will make a new effort to work together for a shared interest in maintaining a natural balance.

Wine With Shades of Green

Who doesn't love a nice glass of wine while sitting with friends after a long work week? For many, there is great anxiety associated with choosing the right wine when having guests over. So many pieces go into consideration: region, vintage, variety, winemaker, etc. I bet there is a piece you have overlooked on many occasions when choosing the perfect wine; the green piece.

I'm not trying to make your wine selection process more difficult by adding another factor for consideration. As a matter of fact, I'm trying to make things easier. A "green" wine will be a conversation starter and might encourage others to mimic your environmental consciousness.

What should you look for when choosing an eco-friendly wine?

• Buy Local: Buying local is a good idea whether you are purchasing wine, food, or anything else. It cuts down on shipping waste and fuels small businesses. In the context of wine, a local wine can be less expensive. In addition, many wine shop owners have more experience with local wines and can provide more thorough reviews than they can with non-local wines. Even stores like Whole Foods sell wines from your community. If you want to meet the wine-makers themselves, local wines offer the opportunity to tour the vineyard or ask questions directly at a farmers' market.
  

• Buy Organic: Buying organic wine has become a little more confusing than it use to be. The USDA recently released standards for organic label products. For a wine to be truly organic, it must be made from organically grown grapes AND be free of sulfates. Very few wines meet both standards. You should look for wines from grapes grown organically because this cuts down on pesticides and toxic fertilizers that infect ground-water supplies and poison lakes and rivers. If you would like a full explanation of the difference between conventional and organic viticulture go HERE. If you are looking for wines from organically grown grapes go HERE.

• Buy Boxed: Many readers will think I should be shot for even suggesting that you purchase boxed wine. Other readers will squeal with joy that they can serve boxed wine with some political correctness. Boxed wines that are made of "Tetra Paks" have a reduced amount of green house gas emissions than glass bottles of wine and require less energy to ship. Avoid those single-serving boxed wines though because they require more packaging for less product. Make sure that when you choose to drink boxed wines, you do it responsibly: recycle the box.
  

In the End, Ethanol is Worse than Gasoline

A study recently released in Science Magazine outlines one of the reasons why ethanol and other crop-based biofuels actually contribute more greenhouse gases than traditional fossil fuels.

The 9 scientists who prepared the study work for several distinguished organizations, including the Georgetown Environmental Law & Policy Institute, the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton and the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University.

In their study, these scientists explain that a myth exists with regard to the emissions of biofuels, like ethanol, versus traditional fossil fuels. Many believe growth of the feedstock results in carbon sequestration that reduces the greenhouse gas emissions when these fuels are burned.

Unfortunately, this belief underestimates the emissions that arise when farmers go through the process of changing from traditional crops to biofuel crops in order to benefit from the rise in profits from growing this newly in-demand fuel source.

Taking this factor into consideration, the scientists stated..."Using a worldwide agricultural model to estimate emissions from land use change, we found that corn-based ethanol, instead of producing a 20% savings, nearly doubles greenhouse emissions over 30 years and increases greenhouse gases for 167 years."

Some who see switchgrass as a viable alternative source for biofuels will be disappointed to learn that it causes an increase of 50% in greenhouse gas emissions when used for this purpose.

The lesson to be gleaned from this report is that the best possible option if for the U.S. to develop real renewable energy sources like solar and wind that can power our homes and our vehicles.

See the summary of the study HERE

Generate Your Own Electricity and Get Paid!

There are several great reasons to install solar panels and power generating windmills on your property and home. For one, you create a closed-system of electricity where the energy you use is the energy you generated. You save money in the long run from federal and state tax credits, as well as the obvious utility bill savings. Plus, you are creating electricity from a renewable, clean energy source right at home.

If you live in one of the several states that pays you to generate energy at home, you have one more great reason to install those panels and windmills. The process is called "net metering." Net metering allows you to sell back electricity to the electric company that you generated through your own renewable energy generators.

As you generate electricity, your home's meter will spin backwards and the power will be stored back on the grid for others to use. When you use electricity at home, the meter will spin forwards and eat away at the negative usage you've acquired. If you have negative usage on your meter at the end of the month, the electric company will compensate you.

The end result is a one-for-one purchase of electricity by the company from you. They are essentially paying you the same rate you pay them for each unit of electricity you put on the grid.

There is at least one city in nearly every state in the U.S. that offers net metering. The programs may differ slightly, but setting up a program is as easy as a quick call to your electric company.

To see the list of city/state programs and how they work, click HERE.

What is Fair Trade & Organic Coffee?

If you visit Starbucks on a regular basis, you've probably noticed the option to buy organic or fair trade coffee. Most people probably know what organic means, and many are vaguely aware of what fair trade means, but how are these words applied to coffee?

Fair trade coffee is actually a certification that is granted by TransFair USA. The program is designed to allow farmers in developing countries access to consumer markets where coffee is in demand. Farmers are often trained on coffee production and are paid a fair wage for their products so they can improve their living conditions and those of their community.

As part of the deal, Fair Trade farmers must agree to use environmentally sustainable practices when growing their products. Some of these practices include interplanting crop species to improve soil condition, improving water conservation, and prohibiting crops in conservation areas. In addition, high labor standards are required for farmers to earn the Fair Trade label for their products. The Fair Trade process prevents abuse of farmers by middlemen by connecting growers with sellers directly.

Organic coffee means that the coffee was grown without using chemicals, pesticides, and toxic fertilizers. Although it is unanimously agreed that these pollutants do not survive the roasting process to reach your body, they are extremely hazardous to the water bodies and drinking water supplies. The additional nutrients and toxins often find their way into lakes, rivers and oceans to poison fish & plant species. Plus, it is unhealthy for farmers and laborers to be exposed to these toxic fertilizers and pesticides.

There is another category for coffee called "Shade grown." Shade grown coffee is grown under the canopy of tree branches in areas where the soil is appropriate for plant growth. Believe it or not, all coffee was once grown in the shade. Coffee plants are a shade loving shrub that, until 25 years ago, grew naturally in areas under tree limbs. Farmers have genetically modified coffee plants so they can grow in full sunlight to provide better yields. This has resulted in the complete clearing of tree covered areas in favor of flat, treeless rows of shrubs.

There are many more benefits to growing coffee in the shade. For one, it benefits migratory bird species who rely on the forest areas for temporary housing during their migration. In fact, over the past 25 years, migratory bird species who rely on just such forests have declined in population by 50% as trees have been cleared for more non-shade grown coffee. Also, taste is improved when coffee is grown in the shade. Less coffee beans grow per plant, increasing flavor concentration and reducing the bitterness.

If you are interested in buying organic, fair trade, and/or shade grown coffee, there are plenty of places in your community that sell it. But if you want to buy it online, look HERE.

Oscars Go Green & So Can Your Party

The 80th Annual Academy Awards have consulted the Natural Resources Defense Council for advice on how to throw a greener Oscar party. According to their press release, "This year, the Academy, the Oscar telecast producer Laura Ziskin and the entire production team endeavored to select supplies and services with a sensitivity toward reducing the threats we face from global warming, species extinction, deforestation, toxic waste, and hazardous chemicals in our water and food."

In addition to the Academy's efforts, several guests will be arriving to the big show in electric and hybrid vehicles. Some new eco-limo companies have even been created to meed just such a demand. Even if celebs want to arrive in a Mercedes or other luxury car, they can be supplied with models that run on bio-diesel.

If you are planning on having some friends over for the big event, let me give you some pointers on having your own green Oscar party.

1. Send Out Evites: Invite your guests to your party using Evites rather than paper invitations. On the Evite, make sure to mention that you are hosting a green Oscar party and all attendees are encouraged to car pool to the big event.
2. Avoid Paper & Plastic: Class up your get together by using your nice dishes and glasses for your guests. Paper plates, plastic cups, and paper napkins are not reusable.
   
3. Set Out a Recyclables Can: Make sure your guests have a special place to put any glass bottles or aluminum cans they use so you can recycle them later.
4. Buy Food Locally: Visit your local organic grocer or farmers market to get locally grown and organic vegetables, meats, and cheeses.
   
5. Create Your Own Category: When you invite your guests, ask them to submit all the ways they are green at home and hand out an award for Greenest Guest. Everyone will learn new things they can do at home to be greener AND the winner can give an acceptance speech.
   

Growing Vegetables in the City

Being an urban dweller sometimes means sacrificing the plants and open spaces of a more rural community. Of course, living in an apartment also means avoiding the pain and annoyance of working in the yard. It is possible to satisfy your need for greenery and growing your own vegetables, all from the convenience of your apartment window.

Many species of plants and vegetables grow quickly and easily from above ground pots located on widow sills. The key is to know where to start.

First, make sure you are using 4" plants. If you visit your local nursery, you can find plenty of different options in this size category. The most popular choices are cucumbers, peppers, beans, lettuce, eggplant, squash, radishes, parsley and tomatoes.

Second, choose the right size pot for your 4" plants. Some plant species, like green onions, parsley and herbs can survive in smaller pots of 6 to 10 inches. Vegetable species thrive in 5 gallon containers. Radishes and beets can be grown in flat cake pans.

Third, prepare the pot. Place rocks at the bottom of your pot, over the drainage holes, to ensure that water drains out slowly and the soil is able to properly absorb water. Put a combination of compost, slow-release fertilizer and soil in the pot. Arrange the plants in your pots and pack the soil tightly around them. Water the plants well and place them on your window sill.

Fourth, water your plants everyday. Avoid getting the plant leaves wet, this may invite disease. Mix a nutrient solution into your water 6 days a week. Provide plenty of light for your plants. The vegetables are going to require far more light than any of the other plants. Lettuce, onions, parsley and radishes can tolerate more shade.

The table below breaks down some of the essential factors in choosing plants, pots and areas for your project. You can also check THIS site and THIS site for more information.

Crop	Number of days for germination	General size of container	Amount of light required	Number of days from seeding to harvest
Beans	5-8	Medium	Sun	45-65
Cucumbers	5-8	Large	Sun	50-70
Eggplant	8-12	Large	Sun	90-120
Lettuce, leaf	6-8	Medium	Partial shade	45-60
Onions	6-8	Small	Partial shade	80-100
Parsley	10-12	Small	Partial shade	70-90
Pepper	10-14	Large	Sun	90-120
Radish	4-6	Small	Partial shade	20-60
Squash	5-7	Large	Sun	50-70
Tomato	7-10	Large	Sun	90-130

Green DC Hotspots

If you are a reader who lives in Washington, DC like the GreenPieceBlog does, then you'll be happy to know that Gridskipper.com has gone to the trouble of pinpointing several of DC's greenest stores, restaurants, etc.

You can check out their whole blog entry HERE.

Or you can just check out the list below, along with some of my own recommendations:

• YES! Organic Market: These little stores are spread out all over town. They offer a pretty great array of organic vegetables and fruits. Don't miss the organic beer and organic ice cream offerings as well.
• Green Pets: This store has decided to become a one-stop shop for all pet supplies green. One of the best things you can do for the environment is buy biodegradable poop bags for your dogs. Leaving poop on the ground leads to nutrient loading of waterways that kills water life. Using regular plastic bags means your dog's poop will be permanently enshrined in our dumps.
• Eastern Market: This Capitol Hill flea market is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Everyone should try to buy their vegetables locally because it encourages smaller farms and prevents the carbon emissions from shipping products long distances. Look for many organic choices at Eastern Market too. As if that wasn't enough, you can find lots of other people's stuff to reuse in your home.
  
• Whole Foods: Of course, Whole Foods is a chain that is scattered all over the country. You can feel comfortable shopping at Whole Foods because they power their stores with 100% renewable energy. There are so many great food choices at Whole Foods, too. Don't forget to bring your cloth bag for a discount at the check-out line.
  
• Java Green: I've never actually been to Java Green, but according to Gridskipper, its a great place for vegans and vegetarians alike. The coffee shop also runs on wind power and offers a line-up of organic & free-trade coffees.
  
• Sticky Fingers Bakery: Another place I've never ventured. In addition to healthier, low-fat food options, this bakery makes an attempt to integrate vegan values into their offerings.
  
• Hoopla Traders: This Adams-Morgan shop on 18th features all sorts of home decor, jewelry and accessories. Many of the products are made from renewable materials and are certifiably green. They supply make-up and soaps that are organic too. The staff is friendly and there is a cool back room full of hand made eco-centric furniture.
  
• Eco-Green Living: There is another good store on the U Street Corridor at Church Street. They have more practical products like transparent window tape to block cold/hot temps from outside. I purchased biodegradable garbage bags here once too. If you are really looking to improve your home's energy efficiency, they have everything you need, even solar panels.
  

McCain and Obama Don't Offset Campaign Costs

A Washington Times article reports today that neither McCain or Obama are doing what they should to offset the carbon emissions from their campaigns.

According to the article, "Campaign finance records for 2007 show that neither of the two leading presidential candidates has spent money to independently cover his campaign's 'carbon footprint' — the amount of carbon emissions emitted by the planes and vehicles the candidates and their staffs use for travel, or by the computers and headquarters needed to run a presidential campaign."

Carbon offsets are a great way to fund tree replantings and clean energy development that guarantees us all a healthier environmental future. Many of the other presidential campaigns, including that of Edwards, Clinton, and Dodd paid to offset their carbon footprint. Hillary Clinton spend tens of thousands of dollars last year to make sure her campaign was environmentally responsible.

There is a genuine, and well founded, fear among the environmental community that the 2008 election will yield yet another candidate who pays lip service to the environmental challenges that we face. This election should be about making the United States a global leader in clean energy development. Although both McCain and Obama have impressive environmental credentials, its important that they stay on the cutting edge of environmental stewardship so they act as leaders to the US and worldwide.

I implore you to contact the Obama and McCain campaigns and tell them to put words into action and make their campaigns carbon neutral. Excuses and rhetoric won't slow down the global calamity that is global climate change.

Obama's Campaign: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/contact2
McCain's Campaign: http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/

Washington Times Story: HERE

Obama and the 2005 Energy Bill

In my POST comparing Obama & McCain's environmental record, or in my POST comparing Hillary and Obama's environmental record, one thing stands out very clearly. In 2005, Obama voted to approve a very controversial Energy Bill that neither McCain or Hillary voted for.

This 2005 Energy Bill, you might remember, was noteworthy because it was written in a secretive manner during behind-the-scenes discussions between Dick Cheney and oil & gas industry lobbyists. Some argue that the lobbyists themselves wrote the final version of the Bill. Why do they argue this? Because the Bill contained billions in tax giveaways to the oil, gas, coal and ethanol industries.

Michael Abromowitz of the Washington Post described the creation of the bill this way..."From the beginning, it was clear that Cheney was running the show, chairing meetings of the task force -- comprised of about a dozen Cabinet officers and senior officials -- in his ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Much of the task force's work was done by a six-person staff, led by its executive director, Andrew Lundquist, a former aide to Republican Sens. Ted Stevens and Frank Murkowski of Alaska. In 2000, Lundquist was the Bush campaign's energy expert; Bush nicknamed him "Light Bulb."

Today, Lundquist is a lobbyist and has represented some of the companies who appeared before the task force, such as BP, Duke Energy and the American Petroleum Institute. He did not return phone calls for this article."

Almost universally, all environmental organizations opposed the 2005 Energy Bill because of its corporate welfare payouts to the worst polluters in the country, who were making record profits. This is largely why almost all Democrats and some Republicans opposed the law.

The Abromowitz article goes on to say that although some environmental groups were brought into the process of writing the Energy Bill, they were not included until after the legislation had essentially been completed and were only being given an imaginary role in the process. The real contributors to the Bill were Exxon Mobile, Enron Corp., Duke Energy, Constellation Energy Group, the National Mining Association, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, the American Petroleum Institute, BP, etc.

After voting to approve the 2005 Energy Bill, Barack Obama put out a press release explaining his reasons for approving the law. The release details a number of economic benefits Illinois reaped from passage of the legislation. Most importantly, he points to expansion of clean coal and ethanol usage as a result of the 2005 Energy Bill.

Unfortunately, there are two things wrong with Obama's judgment on this Bill.

• Although he is right that ethanol reduces demand for foreign oil, it is a dirty alternative to pure gasoline that actually has the dual impact of contributing more pesticides and fertilizers to water bodies from farming of the corn, while also reducing fuel efficiency in automobiles. Also, "Clean Coal" is a misleading industry term. There is no clean coal. All coal contributes massive amounts of carbon emissions into our atmosphere and requires destruction of entire mountain ecosystems for mining.
  

• Whatever benefits gained by some of the programs created in the 2005 Energy Bill, like support for plug-in hybrids, were vastly outweighed by the cost of expanded oil drilling and coal power plant creation.
  

Bragging about the economic benefits of the bill is misleading. Many jobs could be created by investing in the manufacture of solar power cells and wind power plants. Germany has found a lot of success as the largest manufacturer of solar cells in the world, a title once bestowed upon the U.S. that was lost because of a lack of investment by government in legislation like the 2005 Energy Bill.

It was no secret at the time of the 2005 Energy Bill's creation just how shady its creation was. The best route to take would have been to stand-up and fight for a better bill that didn't amount to a free-for-all for the traditional energy industries. Unfortunately, the Energy Bill passed and probably caused significant damage to our environment.

Your Cell Phone has Flower Power

So many times this blog has addressed the importance of recycling things like cell phones and batteries. The toxic materials in these products, as well as their plastic cases, can create long-term dangerous effects on our environment. You can easily drop off your phones and batteries at office supply stores like Staples or Officemax.

Scientists at the University of Warwick in the U.K. have created a cellular phone with a case made of biodegradable polymer that, when put in the ground, becomes compost and sprouts sunflowers. The cases are just as tough and attractive as current cell phone cases.

There are two drawbacks. First, the technology is still a ways off. Second, you have to remove the guts from the phone and recycle them separately.

Until your cell phone has the ability to bloom, you can donate it to soldiers fighting abroad by going HERE.

Obama vs. McCain on the Environment

UPDATE (9-05-08): For a far more accurate description of McCain's current environmental views, click HERE. 

UPDATE (8-29-08): This post was written many many months ago, before John McCain more clearly delineated his environmental policies. Thousands of people stumble on this post all the time, looking for insight into McCain's view on the environment. For quite a while, I have felt I was doing readers a disservice by leaving this post out there even though it doesn't reflect the current beliefs of John McCain. For that reason, I am now including links to several recent posts that will provide a more complete portrait of what John McCain will do, if elected President, with the environment...

• To see a short description of McCain's VP, Gov. Sarah Palin's environmental views, click HERE.
• To read about McCain's interest in drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, click HERE.
• To read about McCain's misleading campaign ad on wind energy, click HERE.
• To read about the sudden campaign cash influx McCain received from oil executives after his flip-flop on offshore oil drilling, click HERE.
• To read about McCain's 0% rating by the League of Conservation Voters, click HERE.
  

Neither Obama nor McCain have secured the nomination for their parties in the 2008 Presidential Election. However, with both of them having so much success in February, I thought I would compare and contrast their environmental records and platforms. I think where they agree and disagree might surprise you.

Comparing Obama vs. McCain on the Environment...

• In 2004, both Obama and McCain were endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters (a pro-environment organization) over their Senate race opponents.
  
• Both Obama and McCain support a cap-and-trade system to phase out greenhouse gas emissions by factories.***
  
• McCain and Obama oppose oil drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.
  
• Both candidates support expansion of liquefied coal and ethanol energy technology.
• Obama and McCain have supported expansion of nuclear power plants. Obama switched his position slightly between July 2007 and December 2007, explaining in December that until we can solve the storage and safety issues associated with nuclear power, we should not expand its use.
  
• Both agree that humans contribute to global climate change.
  
• McCain and Obama agree that the U.S. should have signed the Kyoto Treaty.

***The commenter below points out that McCain and Obama's cap-and-trade proposals are very different. McCain's does not include an auction component to sell credits to emitters, Obama's does. This is important because Obama's plan will create revenue to fund education and innovation in green technology.

Contrasting Obama vs. McCain on the Environment...

• The League of Conservation Voters gave McCain's environmental record a score of 53% while Obama has scored in the high 90's.
  
• McCain opposed Dick Cheney's 2005 Energy Bill that included huge tax giveaways to oil companies with record revenues. Obama supported the bill.
• Obama supported a law that required 25% of U.S. energy come from renewable sources by 2025, McCain opposed a similar federal law.
• McCain opposed the 2007 Energy Bill written by Democrats which mandated improved vehicle fuel economy standards by 2020, Obama supported the bill.
  
• Obama did not join McCain and 44 other Republican and Democratic Senators in urging the Environmental Protection Agency to draft stricter Mercury restrictions.

You can read more about McCain's environmental views HERE

And you can see more on the records of both Obama and Hillary Clinton HERE

Al Gore's Endorsement