Obama answers science questions, new facts rise up over McCain’s VP choice — week of 31 August 2008

As the Republicans gathered in St. Paul for their presidential convention (see our coverage of days 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 ) the Obama campaign released answers to a long list of questions suggested by Sciencedebate.com , a collation of science organizations (the American Institute of Physics was one of the organizations that provided advice on the questions). Nearly every science magazine, including Physics Today, has been submitting questions to the candidates for months without any response, despite both campaigns having a number of scientists working as advisers.The Obama campaign move is the first part of a process that will see a number of answers to policy questions on science released to media organizations, says Obama’s press office. The McCain campaign is still refusing to answer any science policy questions.In fact, the convention this week saw a number of misinterpretations appear from the Republican camp of Obama’s position on a number of science issues, including in McCain’s speech at the convention last night --in which he talked about “clean energy” but didn’t explain how he would invest in the technology and claimed that Obama has said that the US could achieve energy independence without more drilling and without more nuclear power. Obama has stated that he is in favor of nuclear power if the waste issue and safety concerns are addressed, and has agreed to compromise on offshore drilling as long as it is part of a large energy package that favors renewable energy.

What did Obama say on Science?

Obama’s answers to the Sciencedebate.com questions indicate that his administration aims to “increase federal investment in clean energy research, development, and deployment by $150 billion over ten years.”

He would also•double funding in basic research in physical and life sciences, mathematics, and engineering over the next decade• increase support for high-risk, high-payoff research portfolios at science agencies• expand access to higher education, work to draw more of these students into science and engineering, and increase National Science Foundation (NSF) graduate fellowships• create a Global Energy Forum—based on the G8+5, which includes all G8 members plus Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa—comprising the largest energy-consuming nations from both the developed and developing worlds to focus exclusively on global energy and environmental issues• respond to threats such as asymmetric conflicts, cyber attacks, biological terror, and nuclear proliferation by investing in math and science education• revitalize NASA to focus not only on space but also on Earth observation and reestablish an over-reaching agency to monitor all US space-based activities• appoint individuals with strong science and technology backgrounds and unquestioned reputations for integrity and objectivity to the growing number of senior management positions where decisions must incorporate science and technology advice• strengthen the role of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and put back the science adviser as reporting directly to the president.

Hidden issues

Meanwhile, at the Republican convention, the lack of substantial policy discussions did not go unnoticed. -Harold Meyerson points out that the Democrats had more than 20 public forums discussing “green” jobs while the Republican convention had one (see day 4 of our coverage ).

On the Republican convention website, a search for the keyword “climate change” brings up one entry: Gov. Sarah Palin’s biography , which talks about how she has set up a committee to look at the impact of climate change on Alaska. Palin is not convinced that global warming is the result of human activity. A search for “energy” creates a list of 20 individuals and one press conference (which was reported on day 3 of our coverage ).

Palin’s views

According to Inside Higher Ed, Palin as governor approved a 7% increase in the University of Alaska’s education budget at a time of record prices for oil. “At the same time, the governor vetoed energy research and cooperative extension programs that were, according to the university system, endorsed by the Alaska State Legislature, in addition to vetoing an endorsed increase for tutoring and distance learning for the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program.”

In an editorial to the New York Times Palin argued against listing polar bears under the endangered species act because of climate change, stating that a comprehensive review by state wildlife officials said there was no risk. However, Environmental Policy Professor Richard Steiner at the University of Alaska Fairbanks , discovered that the reports conclusions said the exact opposite after he filed a freedom of information request to see the review. Inside Higher Ed quotes Steiner as saying Palin would continue the administration’s “War on Science”.

Thomas Friedman isn’t impressed with McCain , describing McCain’s vice-presidential pick as completing “his makeover from the greenest Republican to run for president to just another representative of big oil.”

“John McCain was all about global warming and the integrity of the science. The selection of Sarah Palin is a complete reversal from that position,” said Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC). “She is disturbingly part of the pattern of the Bush administration in their approach to science generally and the science of the environment in particular.”

Paul Guinnessy-