There is no issue more important in election 2016 than climate/environment. It may literally be our last chance to elect a climate leader who will lead us out of our climate crisis and forward to a safer, healthier planet.
Emily Atkin at Think Progress/Climate has, along with graphics by Dylan Petrohilos, created a simple reference that details main Democratic presidential candidates stance on climate.
Of course, nothing is ever that simple, as it's early in campaign and information was gleaned from public statements and official plans thus far.
It’s worth noting that this checklist isn’t definitive. Just because Sanders has said he supports many of these policies doesn’t necessarily mean he will include them in his official climate plan when and if he releases one. And just because Clinton hasn’t included some of these issues in her current plan doesn’t mean she won’t (or will) in the future.
It’s also worth mentioning that just because O’Malley has included all of these things in his climate plan doesn’t mean he’ll be able to achieve them. His plan leans steeply to the left of even the Obama administration’s climate strategy, which the Republican-led Congress is fighting tooth-and-nail to dismantle.
That a Democratic presidential nominee might have a difficult time achieving their climate goals, however, can be said about any of the candidates — especially considering the fact that more than 56 percent of current congressional Republicans don’t believe climate change exists at all. For environmentalists and climate hawks, that may mean that the candidate with the most aggressive goals represents the safest option.
As a Sanders supporter and as a climate hawk, I feel comfortable with Bernie's stance on climate so far. After all, he is endorsed by Bill McKibben, who spoke at Bernie's announcement ralley.
UPDATE: per 2thanks in comments, fracking was omitted in chart and it's hugely important. What I know is that Clinton is huge fracking supporter, O'Malley for fracking in home state. Bernie has strongest anti-fracking stance see below: