Senator John Edwards (D)

The LCV Scorecard provides objective, factual information about the most important environmental legislation considered and the corresponding voting records of all members of Congress. It represents a consensus of experts from more than 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who selected the key votes on which members should be graded. Scores are calculated on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the number of pro-environment votes cast out of the total number measured. Absences are counted as a negative vote. To view the 2006 scorecard, please click here.

The last six years of John Edwards's LCV scores are above, followed by his lifetime LCV score. The lifetime LCV score represents the career average for all years served in office. For more about the Environmental Voting Record click here.

Environmental Overview

What accomplishments or experiences would you cite as influences on your approach to environmental or conservation issues? These may be professional or personal.

"In spite of the strain of their work, my parents always found time to take us on trips, and those I liked most were camping trips to Hartwell Lake in Georgia –with Uncle Harold, Aunt Rita, and my cousin Tim. We would all pitch a tent and immediately take my uncle’s bass boat out on the lake. We loved it.

After I had my own children, I was blessed to have the opportunity to share the outdoors with my son, Wade. In the summer of 1995, we climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Wade actually joined a Colorado Outward Bound expedition to prepare for our trip. Headaches from the altitude nearly kept me from making the summit, but eventually I joined Wade and our friends at the top. I will never forget the experience.

Sharing the outdoors between generations is a great American tradition. I believe it is symbolic of our obligation to act as stewards of the planet for our children and grandchildren. When we hike or swim or camp or canoe with our kids, we are reminded of both the gift and the responsibility that we have been given."

Priority compared to other issues for first 100 days

As you know, a common rubric for measuring the results of a new presidential administration is to evaluate priorities for its first 100 days in office. The League of Conservation Voters believes that the one issue area voters will be most focused on, when it comes to the environment, is energy and global warming. If you are sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, what will be your priorities in the energy and global warming arena for your first 100 days in office, and why? These may be achievable by executive action, legislative action, international action, or appointments.

"One of this Administration’s biggest mistakes after September 11th was ignoring the country’s will to decrease our dependence on foreign oil. I will seize the opportunity of my first 100 days as president to send legislation to Congress that enacts my agenda to halt global warming and achieve energy independence. I believe that the United States must pass legislation capping the emissions of greenhouse gases as quickly as possible. I will submit a budget that doubles the Department of Energy’s research budget for development of clean energies and makes the renewable energy tax credit permanent. At the same time, I will issue an executive order to reduce the federal government’s use of energy and make the White House carbon neutral. Finally, I will begin discussions with other world leaders to enact a new global climate change treaty."

Please respond to the previous question but focus on environmental issues outside of the energy and global warming arena.

"Stopping global warming is my highest environmental priority, but after eight years of the Bush Administration there will be a lot of work to do. In my first year, I will work to reverse every harmful environmental executive order and regulation issued by the Bush administration. I will submit legislation strengthening the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts and restoring the “polluter pays” principle in the Superfund."

Priority compared to other issues for first 100 days

Many candidates for office, not just for president, intend or promise to do great things on many issues. How would you say environmental or conservation issues would rank as a priority for you in your first 100 days when compared to other issues? Why? Do you intend to personally attend to these issues?

"Stopping global warming is on of the great moral imperatives of our time. It has been one of the top priorities of my campaign and it will be one of the greatest priorities of my presidency. When I announced my candidacy, I identified only four priorities of my administration, and addressing the crises of energy and global warming was among them. As I travel across the country, I regularly tell audiences that I believe that it is time to ask the American people to be patriotic about something other than war. I will do that from day one of my presidency – of course – I will personally attend to this issue. We owe it to ourselves, our children and our grandchildren to protect the land, air and water we rely on. We owe it to the world to become a responsible and moral leader in clean energy and conservation. We must be the ones who say, ‘we must halt global warming.’. Our generation must be the one that says ‘yes’ to renewable fuels and ends forever our dependence on foreign oil. Our generation must be the one that builds the new energy economy based on clean, renewable fuels and energy efficiency."