Green States in the USA

Five minutes. That's how long George W. Bush and John Kerry spent discussing the environment during the three televised debates of the 2004 presidential campaign. It doesn't seem to be an issue that keeps American politicians awake at night.

Indeed in March 2001, only a few weeks after he became president, Bush announced that the United States would not ratify the Kyoto protocol, signed by his predecessor, Bill Clinton. The United States is the world's greatest polluter and releases, according to estimates, between 21 and 25% of total emissions of carbon dioxide.

But things have changed today. Protection of the environment has climbed up the political agenda and regularly hits the headlines of U.S. newspapers. The devastation left by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 has certainly raised awareness among voters. Despite federal opposition to plans to reduce gas emissions, local and state initiatives are popping up across the U.S. And California and states in the Northeast are pioneering a new approach to the environment.