By Summer Bowen

Few people can argue that the world took a turn for the worse eight years ago when nearly half of Americans said, “Aw, shucks! He just seems like the kinda guy I’d like to have a beer with!” Well, there are people we want to meet for happy hour and there are people we want to be president, and never the twain shall meet (with the possible exception of Al Gore).

Sure, we can cry into our slowly warming beers about the havoc Dubya has wreaked on our planet. Or we can take a shot of reality and wake up to the sobering fact that voting is the only way to change the future. Here’s how to make sure that this time we do it right:

» Pick the right person for the job. Research candidates’ voting records, stances and eco-values. Check out grist.org for a quick and factual rundown on how green your chosen pol really is.

» Success by association. Take a look at the candidates that environmental groups are supporting. The League of Conservation Voters has scorecards based on past voting records and pinpoint the scary and scandalous “Dirty Dozen” — candidates who should absolutely not get your green vote. The Sierra Club has similar Good Guys/Bad Guys lists, as well as candidate endorsements.

» Mobilize your buds. Got time, but no cash? Throw a fundraiser. Have a party and charge for admission. Set up a silent auction with donated prizes, or try something completely unheard of (disco bowl-a-thon, anyone?). Donate earnings to the earth-minded and socially conscious candidate of your choice.

» Get Guerilla. Email reminders to friends and family, and post notices on your Facebook or MySpace page. Grab some campaign info and hit the pavement.