Environmental Policy

Abstract

In 1992, the election of the Clinton-Gore ticket confirmed for many observers the staying power and influence of environmentalism in American politics. Gore was widely regarded as one of the leading environmentalists in the Senate and the Democratic ticket was endorsed by major environmental groups throughout the country. The election indeed illustrated both the achievements of American environmental politics and the controversies that continue to impose serious limits on those achievements. Among the achievements is a remarkable and expanding body of environmental legislation that continues to be sustained by the courts, and is in large part renewed by Congress. Identification with environmentalist values is judged to be electorally productive. Popular interest in environmental concerns is substantial and enduring.