The following article is from the May 2007 issue of

[1]

It seemed like April was "earth message month" for high profile GOP politicians. Here's a quick round-up of which pols are setting the stage to make a big deal of environment issues in 2008.

Presidental candidate, Senator John McCain delivered a major speech [2] on energy policy and global warming the day after Earth Day. McCain asserted, "The burning of oil and other fossil fuels is contributing to the dangerous accumulation of greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere, altering our climate with the potential for major social, economic and political upheaval. The problem isn't a Hollywood invention nor is doing something about it a vanity of Cassandra like hysterics. It is a serious and urgent economic, environmental and national security challenge."

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich debated Senator John Kerry in Washigton D.C. on different apporaches to deal with global warming. In the event Gingrich acknowledged [3]that global warming is real, and offered what amounted to an unexpected apology for his party's inaction on curtailing greenhouse gas emissions. From the man who brought you the "Contract With America," former speaker of the house, is due to publish a book called "A Contract with the Earth" in the fall.

Ok, he can't run for president, but that isn't stopping the Green Governator from shaping the national debate. Last month, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he will sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency if it fails to respond to California's request to regulate auto emissions. "If we don't see quick action from the government, we will sue the U.S. EPA," Schwarzenegger said during a luncheon speech in Beverly Hills. This action could open the door for other states to enact similar goals.

Although we didn't hear any major announcements from Rudolph Giuliani or Mitt Romney, they have from time to time [4] mentioned pushing for alternative energy and more efficient technologies to stall the global warming.