The organization Science Debate 2008 has been working to get the presidential candidates to agree to participate in a political debate on issues related to science. That looks like it probably isn’t going to happen.
However, Science Debate 2008 has sent 14 questions to Barack Obama and John McCain. Barack Obama has responded to those questions. So far, John McCain has not.
The following is a summary of the substance in Barack Obama’s response to the following question:
“Scientists estimate that some 75 percent of the world’s fisheries are in serious decline and habitats around the world like coral reefs are seriously threatened. What steps, if any, should the United States take during your presidency to protect ocean health?”
- Obama recognizes the impact that global warming is having on marine ecosystems, and cites his commitment to lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
- Obama supports a stronger program of government sponsored research into the effects upon marine life of the acidification of ocean waters
- Obma promotes increased collaboration between scientific agencies within the federal government on issues related to the oceans
- Obama pledges to encourage international cooperation on efforts to deal with the marine ecology crisis by working toward the ratification of the Law of the Sea Convention, which has already been ratified by 150 other nations
- Obama intends to form partnerships with the nations that ring the Gulf of Mexico for regionwide projects to protect the ecological integrity of that body of water
- Obama wants to work with Congress to reauthorize and enhance the Coastal Zone Management Act, as well as the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and the Oceans and Human Health Act
What would John McCain do to protect the oceans? Beats me.
John McCain’s campaign web site doesn’t seem to even acknowledge that the marine ecology crisis exists, and McCain supports the “drill, baby drill” plan promoted by the big oil companies, compromising America’s seas and shorelines to the pollution that comes with offshore drilling.
