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The Green Test: The Candidates on Climate Change and Energy October 3, 2008 | permalink The World's Jason Margolis breaks down Obama and McCain's climate change and energy plans. How Green Are They? Global Energy Options GREEN TALK OBAMA MCCAIN CARBON TARGETS The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says industrialized nations have to cut emissions by 80-95% by 2050 to avoid severe climate change. Emissions target: 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 - Supports mandatory cap and trade system to reduce carbon emissions - Co-sponsored several climate change bills in the Senate Emissions target: 60% below 1990 levels by 2050 - Supports mandatory cap and trade system to reduce carbon emissions - Sponsored several climate change bills in the Senate     EXPERT CHECK: CARBON TARGETS Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute: ENERGY INDEPENDENCE A term originally used during the oil crisis of the 1970s promoting domestic oil production.   Obama wants to eliminate US imports from the Middle East and Venezuela in 10 years.       McCain calls for the US to be energy independent by 2025   EXPERT CHECK: ENERGY INDEPENDENCE Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute: ENERGY EFFICIENCY Regarded as the fastest and cheapest way for the US to save on energy. Over half of America's energy production is wasted through transfer and use in the national grid and domestic consumption.. Obama calls for the US to be the most energy efficient country in the world. Wants to weatherize one million homes every year. McCain wants higher standards for the federal government, the largest electricity consumer in the world. Calls for precise metering to encourage cost-efficient consumption. EXPERT CHECK: ENERGY EFFICIENCY Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute: DRILLING OFFSHORE With higher gas prices, the federal moratorium on offshore drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf has come under scrutiny. Both Democrats and Republicans have proposed the ban be lifted. Has revised previous stance against offshore drilling. Not opposed to domestic oil and gas exploration. Calls for expansion of domestic oil and natural gas exploration and production. EXPERT CHECK: TO DRILL OR NOT? Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute:   FUEL ECONOMY The average mileage traveled by an automobile per gallon of gasoline. Raise fuel economy standards by 4%. Focus on enforcing current fuel economy standards. EXPERT CHECK: ARE FUEL STANDARDS PRIORITY? Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute:   RENEWABLES AND THE GREEN ECONOMY Solar, wind, geothermal, and other renewable energy technologies have yet to become commercially viable in the US. Experts say investments in renewable energy and infrastructure could help stimulate the economy and create jobs. -Would spend $150 billion on new technologies. -Wants 10% of the grid to come from renewables by 2012. -Says he can create 5 million "green jobs." -Supports renewables and the green economy but no set targets. EXPERT CHECK: CAN RENWABLES AND A GREEN ECONOMY DELIVER? Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute: RENEWABLES Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute:THEGREEN ECONOMY BIOFUELS Demand for corn-based ethanol and biofuel last spring contributed to a global spike in food prices. -Wants tax breaks for ethanol. -Against ethanol subsidies. EXPERT CHECK: ARE BIOFUELS GREEN ? Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute: COAL Forty percent of the world's electricity comes from coal. Coal burning power plants are one the biggest threat to the earth's atmosphere. Supports “clean coal.” Against new “dirty” coal plants from being built. Strong supporter of coal and wants “cleaner coal." Pledges 2 billion and government support to develop new clean coal technologies. EXPERT CHECK: DOES CLEAN COAL EXIST? Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute: NUCLEAR More than 300 nuclear power plants in the world produce 15% of the world's energy. The US has not built a nuclear plant in 30 years. Supports nuclear but says it's not a great option. Wants 45 nuclear power plants by 2030 and "government support" for the industry. Wants 100 new nuclear power plants to be built in the US. EXPERT CHECK: IS NUCLEAR VIABLE? Steven Cohen, Director of The Earth Institute: