The Political Climate: an ongoing commentary on the NH Primary and Climate Change

There’ve been wild rumors in DC that the current White House may roll out a national CO2 cap and trade proposal this fall. October surprise? John Fialka reports in the Wall Street Journal that candidates in both parties are “scrambling” to put their spin on climate change. In the article he includes an interview with James L. Connaughton, head of the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality, who said there is no “imminent” policy change in the works. But Connaughton added that White House policy makers continue to review incentives to push new technologies that help reduce greenhouse gases. In the same article Fialka reports on mortgage incentives and tax code changes proposed by Al Gore.

Why all the attention from politicians? In a June 2006 nationwide poll (Lake Research Partners, +/- 3.2% MOE) 78% say that global warming is a real phenomenon, with just about half saying that it is definitely happening. Just one in ten voters say it likely is not happening. Furthermore, majorities of Democrats (90%), independents (85%), and Republicans (61%). Finally, “despite the cost, 60% of voters believe action needs to be taken to combat global warming.”

So when the Bush White House released a report a month earlier (May 2006), that states:

● “The evidence continues to support a substantial human impact on global temperature increases.”

● “Also, the observed patterns of change over the past 50 years cannot be explained by natural processes alone.”

…mid-term candidates are “scrambling” on the issue, and in the June poll 36% of New England voters believe Congress should make global warming a top priority - when will we in the Granite State begin to hear about solutions and specifics from visiting politicians?