environmental politics
Battle for the Senate: The Lone Star State
Is Texas in play? The environmental stakes are high.
Texas is a late addition to my list of key Senate races. It’s still not clear how genuinely Texas is in play, but it’s surprising that we’re even asking the question. Here’s what we know about the candidates and the environment. Ted Cruz (R). Cruz managed to get a 0% score from the League of Conservation …
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CONTINUE READINGHigh-Stakes Races in Florida
A Senate seat and the Governor’s Mansion are both in play.
Florida has not one but two races this year with national significance. One is the Senate race. The other is the Governor’s race. We all know why Senate races matter, especially this year when the Senate is so closely divided. A gubernatorial race, in contrast, normally would be considered mostly a local matter. But there …
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CONTINUE READINGBattle for the Senate: Arizona and Nevada
These two states offer Dems badly needed pick-up opportunities.
Here are two key Western races. The contrast between candidates on environment and energy is striking. Arizona: Sinoma v. McSally (primary Aug. 28). Incumbent Jeff Flake (R) isn’t running for reelection. Flake’s lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) was a mere 9%. The likely match-up is Martha McSally, a Republican with a …
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CONTINUE READINGBattle for the Senate: Missouri and Indiana
Two Democratic moderates faces staunch conservative challengers in these toss-up races.
In the middle of the country, these two Senate races pit Democratic incumbents against strong Republican challengers in what promise to be very close races. Democrats must hold onto these seats to have any chance at all of winning control. If they lose both seats, the GOP will solidify its majority, giving Mitch McConnell more …
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CONTINUE READINGFive Key Cal. House Races and the Environment
These are among the races most likely to determine control of the House.
I’ve tried through the past few elections to provide information about the environmental views of Senate candidates in competitive races. There are too many House races for me to do the same thing on a national basis. But I thought I could at least cover the environmental dimensions of some of the key races in …
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CONTINUE READINGClimate Ed. — What are Kids Learning?
Climate change is on the curriculum, but only gets a brief drive-by in science classes.
What are kids learning about climate change in school? As children are about to head back to school, this seems like an especially appropriate time to ask that question. The good news is that nearly all students are likely to be exposed to the basics about climate change. Covering the subject is required by school …
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CONTINUE READINGHow Would a Justice Kavanaugh Approach Environmental Cases?
Reflections From a Review of Kavanaugh’s D.C. Circuit Opinions
As we await the outcome of President Trump’s nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, journalists and legal scholars have been scouring Judge Kavanaugh’s past decisions and legal writings for indications as to how he might resolve pressing legal questions if installed on the Court. I’m adding here a few thoughts to the many …
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CONTINUE READINGA Bipartisan Concern: National Security and Climate Change
Even within the Trump Administration and the House GOP, climate change is seen as a threat.
In written testimony to Congress about threat to national security, the Trump Administration’s Director of National Intelligence (DNI) discussed climate change. His discussion didn’t equivocate about the reality or dangers of climate change. Rather, he took the science, and the threat, seriously: “The past 115 years have been the warmest period in the history of …
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CONTINUE READINGThe Environmental Generation Gap
Millennials may hold the key to future climate action.
You can predict a lot about someone’s attitudes on climate issues if you know their age. Millennials are much more likely to understand climate change and support carbon reductions than their elders. The good news is that it will get easier to find political support for climate action as the population shifts toward millennials and …
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CONTINUE READING1½ Years of Trump
Where are we, after continual environmental assaults by Trump, Pruitt, and Zinke?
Trump has been in office for a year and a half. Where do thing stand? How permanent will the damage be to environmental protection? Answer: bad, but not nearly as it might have been. The degree of resistance especially impressive when you consider the circumstances just how much of American government is controlled by Republicans. …
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