“We've done a study and out of questions by all the top reporters to the major presidential candidates, about eight have been asked about global warming specifically,” said Joshua Klainberg with the New York League of Conservation Voters.

But there are reasons why it hasn't been hotly debated. Global warming barely registers in polling data. When voters are asked which issues they think are the most important this campaign season, they usually respond the economy and the war in Iraq.

Political observers say those issues drive the debate.

“Campaigns are run on usually an analysis of the top five or top ten issues. Environment almost never gets into those issues because, generally speaking, this is something that people think government should be doing and it shouldn't be an issue of political controversy,” said Steve Cohen from Columbia University.

On the stump, the candidates are trying to tie global warming and energy to what directly worries voters. Those high prices at the pump can be lowered, politicians say, by developing new energy sources.

“We're going to deal with climate change and cap the emission of greenhouse gases and invest in solar and wind and biodiesel,” said Barack Obama on a recent television talkshow appearance.

In turn, they believe, we'll have a safer country when we're not relying on the Middle East.

“We've got to start to make it clear that we cannot be more dependent on foreign oil today than we were on 9/11. That is a tragedy for America,” said Hillary Clinton.

Republican John McCain's views on the environment are similar to those of his Democratic rivals. And with no environmental villain vying for the White House this year, environmentalists feel optimistic about the future.

“After eight years of this current administration largely ignoring the problem and now putting some band-aids on it, I definitely see this planet in a better position whoever gets into office,” said Klainberg.

That prediction could be another reason why this story hasn't made onto the evening news every night.