The Top 5 Environmental Newsmakers of 2008

by Amy Judd | December 31, 2008 at 10:01 am

348 views | 28 Recommendations | 10 comments

2008 was a year when more environmental newsmakers stressed how important it is now to take note of environmental issues and work hard to save our planet from the effect of human habitation.

There have been some important people this year fighting for and against the environment, and below are five of them. Who would be on your list if you made one?

Al Gore -- Fresh off the momentum from his recent Nobel prize, Gore continued to spread his climate-change message around the country and the world. He gave a speech in Washington this past July in which he challenged the U.S. to produce 100 percent of our electricity from renewable sources within the next 10 years.

He also met with Barack Obama to talk about the effects of Climate Change.

James Hansen -- Hansen, a leading NASA climate change scientist who first testified in Congress about the dangers of global warming decades ago, made headlines in the spring for two statements.

The first was that we should set a goal of 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the air to prevent the Earth from going even further in causing climate change disasters, such as rising sea levels.
The second was more controversial as he stated that oil executives should be put on trial for crimes against humanity for the effect that their companies have had on climate change.

T. Boone Pickens -- The Texas oilman makes the list for his widely-publicized Pickens Plan, naturally, which was met with equal parts praise and skepticism when he revealed it in July.

Pickens has planned the largest wind farm in the world in Texas, (which has actually been delayed from its 2014 debut due to the financial crisis), but he got the American people thinking about how wind power could be a great alternative to carbon based fuel sources.

Sarah Palin -- Three words put Palin on this list: "Drill, Baby, Drill." The chant, like the woman, inspired enthusiasm or venom - certainly, no lukewarm feelings.

Palin was an environmental disaster to many as she wanted to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, shoot wolves from the air, and said that global warming 'kinda doesn't matter'. Most were relieved when she didn't get in to the White House.

Barack Obama -- A hero to the environmentally-minded, Obama has pledged to make climate a priority in his administration, whether through green jobs or a federal cap-and-trade system.

The idea of 'green job creation' sounds like a great plan, and Obama seems to be on track for dealing with and recognizing the key environmental issues the world is facing. He wants to invest $15 billion a year towards clean energy, and has appointed a team of respected scientists to environmental cabinet positions.

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eastvanray

at 14:08 on December 31st, 2008

Al Gore? You mean the guy who lives in a 35,000 square foot home and flies around the world in his own private jet while telling ordinary folk to turn their thermostats down and unplug their cell phone chargers? What a joke! If you look up the word hypocrite you should find his picture.

Amy Judd

at 15:19 on December 31st, 2008

Yeah, that guy

dunkelberg

at 15:28 on December 31st, 2008

[chuckle]

There's one change the new year will not usher in.

Al Gore - the bullet-riddled environmental messenger still spreads the message, though.

eastvanray

at 15:45 on December 31st, 2008

Isn't that logically equivalent to raping a woman in public to draw attention to sexual assault?

dunkelberg

at 07:15 on January 1st, 2009

Uh . . . that would be a "no".

Pythiian1

at 14:15 on December 31st, 2008

Great round-up of newsmakers on the environment, good and bad.

MikePhotoVideo

at 15:53 on December 31st, 2008

I saw Gov. Palin speak at McCain-Palin campaign stop in O'fallon, MO.

MikePhotoVideo has contributed a photo to this story.

Paschen

at 08:31 on January 1st, 2009

I am glad you posted this. Good info. Lets see if does like Obama and Gore will deliver in 2009 or just keep it in words.

Val Green (not verified)

at 08:45 on January 1st, 2009

global warming? Facts just keep getting in the way don't they?

Barry Artiste

at 11:56 on February 28th, 2009

I would think Suzuki would be more on this list than Manbearpig Gore!, But I guess Dr. David Suziki and all the contributors to National Geographic just don't have the Hollywood Cache Gore has!