We present the presidential candidates' positions on environmental priorities such as public lands, pollutants, climate change and energy, and information on their records where available. Information was obtained from the parties' web pages, supplied by party representatives, or by the League of Conservation Voters. Keep in mind that a paragraph or two may not do justice to a party or a candidate. The candidates are in alphabetical order by last name.
Libertarians believe that property belonging to everyone is the responsibility of no one.
Privatizing the environment gives owners the incentive to protect it. When companies own their own toxic waste sites, they generally handle them responsibly for the simple reason that to do otherwise would jeopardize their profits and their business. They believe government's main role should be to provide market-based incentives to develop new technologies for Americans to meet and exceed environmental standards. Bush wants to create new technologies by cooperation with other nations to reduce harmful emissions without compromising America's competitiveness and without forcing Americans to walk to work. Republicans believe environmental stewardship has best advanced where property is privately held, and thus link the security of private property to their agenda.