The Economist: on Environment

Al Gore: Replace sprawl with “smart growth”; $7.8B on Everglades

“Rescue of the environment,” insisted Gore in his 1992 book, must become “the central organizing principle for civilization.” This work put him firmly in the green camp, but in this campaign he has been playing down his greenery. His present proposals, which have disappointed many greens, essentially reaffirm the command-and-control approach of the past. Gore:

takes credit for the creation of the Superfund, and promises more cooperative efforts by all layers of government to clean up all brownfield sites

thinks that government can replace sprawl with “smart growth”

wants to help cities finance their revival with “Better America” bonds and tax credits

promises massive investments in public transportation

vows to push for better regional cooperation among governments on such issues as crime, traffic and air pollution

supports a strong government-led approach to dealing with air and water pollution

backs a $7.8 billion scheme to clean up and restore the Everglades. Source: The Economist, “Issues 2000” special Sep 30, 2000

George W. Bush: Replace mandate/regulate/litigate with decentralized efforts

Tackle the brownfield problem by replacing the "old system of mandate/regulate/litigate" with decentralized state-led efforts
Conserve wilderness areas by encouraging states and even private citizens to take up wildlife management, rather than leaving everything to the federal government
Tackle global warming, which he acknowledges may be a real threat. However, he pours scorn on the Kyoto Treaty on climate change (which Gore is proud of) and says he favors market-friendly alternatives instead.
Keep energy prices low, in part by encouraging further exploration on federal lands. He blamed the summer gasoline crisis on new laws mandating cleaner gas; precisely the sort of initiative Gore would love.

Source: The Economist, "Issues 2000" special Sep 30, 2000

The above quotations are from Columns and news articles in The Economist magazine. Click here for definitions & background information on Environment. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
*2024 Presidential contenders on Environment:*
	*Candidates for President & Vice-President:* V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA) Chase Oliver(L-GA) Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA) Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL) Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH) Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN) Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)	*2024 presidential primary contenders:* Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE) N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R) N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R) Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R) S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R) Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R) Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN) Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH) S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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