Image courtesy Creative Commons

While politicians aren’t always an activist’s best friend, some political leaders are far greener than others. Here are some politicians to keep an eye on for their great contributions to our environmental laws, and in turn, our planet so far—even if they aren’t still in office. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Governor of California,  2003 - 2011, Republican

Believe it or not, our former Governator was a champ when it came to environmental reform in California during his years in office. In 2006, he signed an important law—in fact, the first of its kind—to reduce California greenhouse gas emissions drastically.

The law, AB 32, aims to have the golden state’s greenhouse gas emissions to the same (lower) levels that existed back in 1990.

The first steps towards Arnold’s goal began this year, with an emphasis towards green technologies to cut down carbon dioxide and methane as well as new regulations to force big industries to report their emissions. By 2020, the levels of greenhouse gasses are supposed to be “erased” to rival the levels of thirty years prior—but that will only work if Arnold stops driving his infamous Hummer. He’s probably switched an electric car by now. 

While his green work was called more “olive-drab” by the Sierra Club’s director, Arnold tried to do more than many politicians to voice concerns about the environment. Now that he’s out of office, bills like AB 32 can green-ify his legacy even further. 

His next step? If he’s going back to the big screen, he should work on greening Hollywood. There are a million places to make a difference on movie sets, from cutting down on the number of plastic water bottles to using solar power for lighting. 

More importantly, he's creating a new comic series with Stan Lee called the Governator that focuses on eco issues. Schwarzenneger's approach to spreading the word about conservation is smart too – he wants people to feel positive about saving the environment, not simply forced, and this comic takes going green to fun new heights.

Al Gore

Vice President of The United States of America, 1993-2001, Democrat

Most of us remember Al Gore for his enlightening ‘Inconvenient Truth’ that caused quite a rukus when it came out in 2006 (and made way for Gore to be plagued forever with inconvenient jokes). His work for climate change did not stop with the film and book, however, but continues today as he heads the Alliance for Climate Protection.

The Alliance funds a variety of projects towards climate change activism and awareness including Repower America, an effort to support renewable energy. As the Co-Founder of Current TV and a member of both Google and Apple’s directorial boards, Gore has the power and reach to enact real change towards a greener U.S.  

Like Arnold, he’s no longer holding a governmental position, but his work while in government—even if it was mostly advocacy and not so much action—is remembered today. 

His next step? Gore could look more carefully at the industries and practices that cause global warming rather than focusing so much on clean energy in general. While he’s avoided hot topics like the effect of factory farms on climate change, perhaps its time for him to take a more risky approach and target more specific businesses. 

He's has also signed a new book deal to write another enlightening climate change expose. This time, Gore will explore the major drivers of climate change in our technology driven, increasingly globalized world. 

Henry Waxman

Democrat- 30th District of California, 2003 to present

Waxman has been an all around good guy for environment issues less popular in political arenas than climate change, though he supports a number of bills to curb global warming as well. He’s voted yes for bills with effects ranging from water conservation to increasing public transportation to saving a few roaming burros and horses. While he isn’t all environment, all the time (right now, he’s working on a bill to increase safety at the Santa Monica Airport of all things), he does consistently favor the eco-conscious side of the law. 

After the nuclear crisis in Japan, Waxman called for nuclear safety hearings in the United States immediately. He still calls for bills to investigate the problems that lead up to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. If he continues to put pressure on his peers to remember these environmental disasters, he’ll continue to be an ally to environmentalists on a multitude of issues. 

His next step? For Waxman, staying on top of the latest environmental threats, and acting to help curb further destruction, is crucial. If he continues to broadly protect the environment as he has thus far, his fan base will only grow. As a constant defenseman against the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, he's done well to fight for his green-friendly ideals.

Louise Slaughter

Democrat- 28th District of New York, 1993 to present

Though Slaughter’s seat is currently in jeopardy, her keen awareness of some less talked about environmental issues makes her an important person to keep in office. One of her initiatives aims to reduce and monitor the amount of antibiotic dugs fed to livestock in the United States. Slaughter has voiced concerns about he overuse of antibiotics in animals since 2009, when she introduced The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, better known as PAMTA, to the House of Representatives. Her outspoken advocacy makes her a champion for animals, and animal lovers, everywhere.

Though her environmental focus isn’t as traditional as Gore’s, Slaughter may be pin-pointing the next big environmental issue of our country. Since the use of antibiotics in animals will eventually affect humans (and it probably already has), her focus and persistence is necessary to save the U.S. from antibiotic resistant diseases. Slaughter is for the environment, sure, but this issue is really a human one. 

Her next step? Make people notice what she’s fighting against. It’s too important for her to give up, especially if her seat ends up in jeopardy in 2012 due to a population drop in her district. 

Reach reporter Molly-Marie Canales here.