McCain and Obama on Science and the Environment

Did you know that both presidential candidates have weighed in on some of the key scientific issues facing our country today, including global warming? Check it out -- knowledge is power.

Imagine you had the opportunity to ask Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Barack Obama (D-IL) about our most pressing environmental and scientific challenges. What would you ask? Maybe something like the following:

• What are the best ways to address global warming?
• How can we ensure that the United States remains the world's top scientific, technological innovator?
• With our oceans in decline, what can we do to revive and protect this precious resource?

Well, a group of concerned citizens has gotten such an opportunity, and their Q&A with the candidates is available online.

Science Debate 2008: How It Happened

Call it an online town meeting. Last November, six scientists and writers came together over the common goal of reinserting science into the political dialogue. In a short time, their small group grew to a force of 38,000 strong. These scientists, academics, and writers, collectively known as Science Debate 2008, came up with more than 3,400 questions for the presidential candidates. (Duke University president Richard Brodhead and I are two of the many signers. Check out my video address to the candidates.) The group whittled the queries down to 14 and got them into the hands of the presidential candidates. Now the senators have weighed in.

Sneak Peek on Climate

To address global warming, both candidates support a market-based cap-and-trade system. Where they part ways a bit is in the details. Obama's program would aim to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, and require the auctioning of pollution credits. McCain's program would aim to reduce carbon emissions at least 60 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

For more details on the candidates' proposals to tackle climate change and a whole range of scientific issues, check out ScienceDebate2008.

Dr. Bill Chameides is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the dean of Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment. He blogs regularly at www.thegreengrok.com.

Comments

[mamacat]

Thank you, Mr. Chameides. I see that Sen. McCain's recent profligate lying also extends to his comments regarding the questions that were put to him.

He says he voted for more stringent CAFE standards, but he actually voted against them.

He says he voted against incentives for renewable energy development because they weren't perfect? Really? On eight different bills? And his vote had nothing to do with the fact that Democrats wanted to take the incentives away from Big Oil, then turn around and give those same incentives to alternative energy development, Big Oil's competitor?

When someone has pretty much given up on even making the attempt to tell the truth, or to be a "straight talk"er, as Sen. McCain would put it, what's the use of believing anything he says?