Environmental Blogging on ‘Blog Action Day’

Today is Blog Action Day, and this year’s topic is the environment. Participating bloggers are encouraged to write a post about environmental issues, but not to post something that wouldn’t fit into the normal mold of their blog. Keeping with those instructions, I just wanted to update you on how environmental organizations are influencing the presidential campaign so far:

The environmental organization “Friends of the Earth Action” endorsed Sen. John Edwards yesterday:

“Friends of the Earth Action enthusiastically endorses John Edwards for President,” said Brent Blackwelder, president of FOE Action. “We believe he is the candidate most committed, and best prepared, to halt global warming and promote a healthy, livable planet for our families and our future. Among the frontrunners, he is also the only candidate to flatly oppose nuclear power. After 7 years of the most destructive environmental president in modern history, we feel strongly that John Edwards is the candidate most likely to stand up to the powerful, corporate polluters and their lobbyists. For these reasons, we believe John Edwards is the best candidate for president.”

Meanwhile, “Republicans for Environmental Protection” endorsed Sen. John McCain:

“Senator McCain is the only Republican candidate in 2008 who understands the deep connection between true conservative values and good environmental stewardship. He is the candidate best suited, by knowledge, experience, and conviction, to provide the strong environmental leadership that our country needs,” said REP President Martha Marks.

“Senator McCain is also the only Republican candidate who fully comprehends the energy challenges facing our nation. As he showed at a debate last week in Michigan and at a conference yesterday in Manchester, he recognizes the complex role that energy plays in our national security, our economic future, and the health of our environment,” Marks added.

Last week, Sen. Barack Obama gave a major speech on environmental policy in New Hampshire. Usually, candidates come to Iowa to emphasize ethanol, but Obama’s speech received positive coverage across the country for a cap-and-trade system that the Illinois Sen. believes is strict enough to achieve significant benefits without the need for a carbon tax.

And some guy named Gore won a prize.

The League of Conservation Voters has set up a web site tracking presidential candidates on environmental policy.