The largest U.N. climate change conference in history opened Monday, with 192 nations discussing what should be done about global warming. The Associated Press recently asked Illinois' U.S. Senate candidates: "Do you believe human activity contributes significantly to global warming? Why or why not?"
Here are highlights from the answers of those who responded:
DEMOCRATS
— Alexi Giannoulias: "Yes. The overwhelming scientific consensus is that man-made greenhouse gases are responsible for the rapid global climate change that we have seen over the past few decades. Anyone who refuses to answer this question or denies these facts is putting ideology before science."
— David Hoffman: "Yes. Like it or not, science has settled this issue. The most recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said the fact that the earth is warming is unequivocal, and that with a 90 percent probability humans are the cause."
— Cheryle Jackson: "Climate change is real and it is accelerating — pollution from power plants, factories and cars is damaging the air we breathe and altering our delicate ecosystem. I strongly believe that America must act immediately."
— Jacob Meister: "Yes. ... Reducing commuter driving will slow the effects of global warming. To that end, as senator, I will introduce legislation for a Telecommute Tax Credit for employers that allow employees to work from home either full or part time. I will also advocate for tax incentives for companies that provide broadband Internet access to areas without service and to increase speeds in areas with service. ... This fuel savings will reduce oil imports, greatly improving our balance of trade.
REPUBLICANS
— Patrick Hughes: "I do not. I believe there are many different factors that weigh in on global climate, including solar activity and natural oceanic warming and cooling cycles. We do not have enough data to prove human activity is a major factor on our climate."
— Mark Kirk: "Many factors contribute to changes in climate, both man-made and natural. Regardless of your views on global warming, we should all agree that reducing our dependence on foreign oil and cutting air pollution without doing economic harm to our citizens will benefit our national security, environment and public health."
— Robert Marshall: "Human activity probably contributes to global warming but there are many other factors. This is a very complex subject."
— Andy Martin: "I am sure that what billions of human beings do contributes to the global environment. I am not sure what the solution should be. My mind is open. But I will not endanger America's economy to benefit China's and India's economies. America First."
— Kathleen Thomas: "First of all, how do you define significant. I've studied the IPCC reports from the U.N. and they do not mention 'dying tomorrow' significance from anthropogenic pollutants. ... There is so much uncertainty within the scientific community and then couple that with how the media presents that information."
