The Republican Party isn't known for efforts related to the politics of climate change and embracing the concept of man-made global warming. Many liberals feel such lack of action is rooted in big-business donors.
But while the majority of Republicans remain along party lines regarding this hot-button issue, some understand the threats to the planet and advocate for change.
ALERT: Is Global Warming a Hoax? Vote Now
Here are five Republicans who support global warming efforts:
1. Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: The Terminator may stand above his fellow Republicans in promoting action. While speaking at the Munich security conference earlier this month, Schwarzenegger called climate change "the issue of our time," and said he learned during his time as governor that adopting green energy initiatives created jobs and fosters energy independence.
According to The Huffington Post, Schwarzenegger added that people should work together, rather than taking political sides. "We all breathe the same air."
As governor, Schwarzenegger signed major legislation in 2006 that created a market-based program to cap greenhouse gas emissions with the hope of returning to 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050,
reports NBC News.
2. Former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman: An Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush from 2001-2003, Whitman is still fighting for climate change. She currently runs the
Whitman Strategy Group, which identifies itself as "a governmental relations consulting firm specializing in environmental and energy issues." She has spoken before Congress and written articles for
Politico.
VOTE NOW: Are You Concerned About Global Warming?
3. Former Maine Senator Olympia Snowe has long been willing to work and vote across party lines while serving from 1995-2013. In 2006, she urged ExxonMobil to stop funding groups that spread fear, uncertainty and doubt about the science of climate change. A year later, she co-sponsored the Global Warming Reduction Act of 2007, which would establish a cap-and-trade program to support the shift to clean energy technology.
4. Maine Senator Susan Collins. Like Snowe: Collins also supports measures to promote preserving the environment. She voted for a bill to force the government to consider global warming when planning projects, and sought to preserve Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards to keep funding for renewable and solar power. In addition, she advocated for making the Environmental Protection Agency a Cabinet-level department. As her website states, "A sustainable energy policy, land conservation, and protections for clean air and water, are essential for the health of our people, our environment, and our national and economic security."
5. Bucking his party's standard line, Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander said at an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing in 2009: "I am one senator who thinks climate change is a problem, humans are causing it, and we need to deal with it," reports the
Tampa Bay Times' Politifact.com.
URGENT: Do You Think Global Warming Is a Hoax? Vote Here Now!
Related Stories: