Citing the importance of energy issues this election season, USA Today walks through the positions of Barack Obama and John McCain on gas prices, drilling, climate change, and other major topics. (Paul Davidson and Barbara Hagenbaugh)

Bill in California to combat sprawl and climate change nears final approval. (New York Times — Felicity Barringer)

Standing before a crowd of 84,000 at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Barack Obama made some key points on energy reform, arguing that the U.S. could end its dependence from oil from the Middle East in 10 years and pledging to spend $150 billion in that same time period on renewable energy. (Grist)

The New York Times‘ Elisabeth Rosenthal examines how much Europeans are willing to change their driving habits in order to emissions control targets.

Pointing to escalating support for new offshore drilling and a drop in concern for global warming as a national priority, The Politico‘s Erika Lovely paints politicians and activists as being divided on how to simultaneously address climate change and energy issues.

A statewide proposal in California to encourage infill development, shorten commute times, and limit C02 emissions could have a big impact around San Diego, where regional planners are working to make housing more affordable and closer to jobs. (San Diego Union Tribune — Michael Gardner)

S.F. Post’s editorial board says that Californians need to understand the connection between land use decisions, congestion, and greenhouse gases, and backs a proposal by state senator Darrell Steinberg to require that regional and local transportation plans include reports on the impact of greenhouse gases.

The New York Times‘ Paul Krugman says the debate over offshore drilling is the tip of the iceberg for a much bigger issue — our level of commitment to halting climate change and saving the planet.

Better fuel-efficiency standards could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, a University of Minnesota study finds, but only if Minnesotans continue to drive less. (Minneapolis Star Tribune — Bill McAuliffe)