In a recent poll in Canada, 88% of voters identified the environment as a factor in deciding on a candidate. The number is much smaller in this country, but this election may mark a (green) turning point. This election presents the first opportunity to vote for many in the so-called Millennial Generation (18 to 29). They have become politically aware (and active) in a post-Katrina, post-Iraq, post-$4 gallon gas America. On college campuses all across this country, words like sustainability, recycling, renewable energy and carbon footprint are not just new buzz words, they’re an essential  part of the vocabulary that shapes and describes their world view.  Peter Dreier, writing for The Nation, recently suggested that the key votes in these swing states could be from  younger voters. As Dreier points out, “after steady declines in turnout since 1972, young voters reversed the trend in the 2004 presidential and 2006 mid-term elections. This year, however, is likely to see a particularly significant increase in voting among Millennials.”

Over the past few days, I’ve been driving through Ohio, and it’s been hard not to think about this November’s election. Political ads are everywhere, and conversations often turn to Ohio’s key role in what looks to be a very close contest. Politicos and pundits alike are paying especially close attention to the swing states (like Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania) to see which issues are driving this race. On the heels of last week’s $700 billion bailout, perhaps it’s not surprising that people seem most concerned about the economy. But, as Thomas Friedman’s new book suggests (see our review in a recent post), issues of energy and the environment are becoming increasingly interwoven with concerns about the economy. How will these issues shape this election, especially in these so-called Purple states?

Jordanne Lippe, reporting for the Washington Post, recently turned in this video about the role of the environment in shaping the (increasingly important?) Youth Vote.