What about coal, including liquefied coal as a gasoline alternative?
My administration would not invest in coal-to-liquid technologies and programs, and there's a very simple reason why: Turning coal into liquid fuel does not reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and support the overall goal of turning the clock back on global climate change.
Do you believe we should put a freeze on development of new coal power plants until they can sequester their carbon emissions?
The Dodd plan requires all new coal plants to capture and sequester carbon dioxide without any exceptions, because only then will we begin to combat a major cause of global warming -- carbon emissions.
As president, would you oppose subsidizing any technology that increases global warming, even if it reduces our dependence on foreign oil?
I believe that turning back the clock on global warming and reducing our dependence on foreign oil must be dual goals of any common-sense energy plan. Thankfully, there are existing and exciting new technologies that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil while reducing global warming risks. My administration will focus on these technologies.
Do you think the solution to our environmental problems will inevitably require some sacrifice on the part of Americans? Will we have to consume less?
When you consume less, your lifestyle improves. This is not going to be a hair shirt you've got to wear. The hair shirt is the one you're wearing today where you place your children in jeopardy, your climate, your planet. We're destroying our lifestyle as a result of continued dependency on these polluting technologies and fuels, and what I'm offering is a way for us to escape. We can leave the coming generation the greatest gift -- a clear path of clean technology, improving the quality of our environment, a world at peace.
What should a post-Kyoto treaty look like? Some believe we shouldn't commit to a global target to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions unless China and India come on board.
We need to set the example. It was shameful that the United States took up our chair, left the room and walked away. As president, I would have us back at that table deeply engaged internationally to be doing everything we could to assist developing countries. Imagine if we're able to offer the world technologies to allow them to become energy efficient and energy independent. At this point, China actually is going green at a faster pace than we are because they realize it's going to kill their population if they don't do it.
Do you think climate and energy will be front-burner issues in the 2008 campaign?
Yes. The public cares about this a lot. After Iraq, between healthcare and energy, this issue is No. 1 or 2.
After climate and energy, what do you think is the most important environmental issue facing the nation?
Health and air quality. The increasing asthma issues that are related to polluting emissions, to burning coal.
What environmental achievement are you proudest of in your career?
That's a good question. It's been a lot of support for things rather than anything I've actually initiated. You know, the issue dealing with the Alaskan, you know, the ...
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
Yeah, I've been a strong supporter of that. I've done a lot of work on the oceans. I think we're going to adopt a Law of the Sea Convention, which will be a breakthrough in terms of having international management of our oceans.
Who is your environmental hero?
Jacques Cousteau. I got to know him very well and always admired his work, particularly on the conservation of oceans and of our water resources. In fact, I have his picture in my office.
If you could spend a week in one park or natural area of the United States, where would it be?
It would probably be in New Hampshire or Iowa. [Laughs.]
You wouldn't want to stray from the campaign trail! Are you an outdoorsy fellow? When you're not in the halls of Congress or on the campaign trail, do you like to escape to the natural world?
No. I don't try to pretend I'm something that I'm not. But I live right on the Connecticut River -- I have for 26 years -- and the lower Connecticut River Valley is one of the most wonderful environmentally sensitive areas in the world. It's stunningly beautiful. We do a lot of fishing in that lower valley area. But I don't pretend to be a great hunter.
Well, that's OK, we'll forgive you for not hunting. On a personal level, what are you doing to lighten your environmental footprint?
I've had the Ford hybrid, the Escape, for a couple of years. In our home in Connecticut, we have storm windows and we're moving to the energy-efficient light bulbs. I've also pledged to have a carbon-neutral campaign.
This article is part of a series of interviews with presidential candidates produced jointly by Grist and Outside.
About the writer
Amanda Griscom Little is a columnist for Grist Magazine. Her articles on energy, technology and the environment have appeared in publications ranging from Rolling Stone to the New York Times Magazine.
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