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[The following is an exact transcript of this podcast.]
A segment of Pres. Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress on February 24th dealing with energy and basic research:
We know the country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century. And yet, it is China that has launched the largest effort in history to make their economy energy efficient. We invented solar technology, but we've fallen behind countries like Germany and Japan in producing it. New plug-in hybrids roll off our assembly lines, but they will run on batteries made in Korea.
Well I do not accept a future where the jobs and industries of tomorrow take root beyond our borders—and I know you don't either. It is time for America to lead again.
Thanks to our recovery plan, we will double this nation's supply of renewable energy in the next three years. We have also made the largest investment in basic research funding in American history—an investment that will spur not only new discoveries in energy, but breakthroughs in medicine, and science, and technology.
We will soon lay down thousands of miles of power lines that can carry new energy to cities and towns across this country. And we will put Americans to work making our homes and buildings more efficient so that we can save billions of dollars on our energy bills.
But to truly transform our economy, to protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy. So I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America. That’s what we need. And to support, to support that innovation, we will invest $15 billion a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power; advanced biofuels, clean coal and more efficient cars and trucks built right here in America.
—Produced by Steve Mirsky
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8 Comments
Add CommentThe fruits of basic fundamental research even the scientist does not know like Lord Rutherford felt what good it will do dissect the structure of atom. Today we know the benefits of atomic science which help in the generation of nuclear power and say Nuclear medicine with its diagnostic and curative potential.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe freedom of research must not be snatched or must not come with strings attached in the name of transparency and guidelines. The creative curiosity of a scientist is like the cool breeze that touches the skin of basic research to bring to bear fruits that will ripen as benefits to the well-being of humans.
Mr. Barack Obama the US president when he addressed the US congress wanted the benefits of research to reach the doorsteps of common man. He wanted education to be the tool to transform the lives of ordinary young citizens of USA. His approach and funding priorities may rejuvenate fundamental research that will make USA come out of its cocoon. Scientists will fly and flock in the portals of research centers of USA. Even today it is said almost 7 to 8 universities of USA occupy the top most universities of the world.
Let such change in the approach of US policies towards research and particularly human stem cell research begins with scientific temper. Let scientific temper govern the social aspirations of science and benefit humanity in its total development. Be it climate change, biological research and modernization of defense and war machinery let every country give its scientists the choice to conduct research for the benefit of common man and the resolve to refuse the application of research for the annihilation of humankind.
Dr.D.S.Sheriff
Professor of Biochemistry
Al Arab Medical University
Benghazi
dhastagir@yahoo.ca
Obama forgot to mention that the Chinese are also leading the most massive nuclear power construction plan on the planet. In fact, America's newest and most advanced nuclear reactor, the AP 1000, is going to be built and completed in China long before one is built and completed here in the US.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisGood initiative Steve Mirsky! You placed another time the president of the U.S. to speak in SciAm.com, on Tecnology and Science!
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Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt is a delight for the United States to have a President who not only supports scientific research but also funds it, removes its obstacles and increases its prestige. My hope is this President will be able to overcome the special interest groups that subtly direct his supporting hand through their wealth and congressional lobbyists. As we busy our scientists with improving low-output, high-expense energy production that will contribute a zero net gain, and less then a ten percent increase in power while requiring a new transmission grid; we direct our time, money and intellect away from real break through energy research*. The coal industry, the railroad industry, the oil industry and even the environmentalists joyfully applauded as the country ignores nuclear power expansion and fails to solve the energy problem.
* if plants can do it why can't man?
Excuse me, but just what in the, um, heck does this have to do with science?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt's all about liberal politics and very little to do with science. It's about pushing a political agenda and grabbing money for solutions that the government thinks best without regard for whether they reflect good science or good economics.
Can you leave the politics out of your science or rename your magazine Politican Science American?
Clean Biochar energy technology has surprisingly existed for several thousand years. So it has no need of long-term environmental Impact studies. Several small research groups have quietly devlopped economically-viable technology which only needs to be applied worldwide on a massive scale. But the biochar looby is very restricted, so please look up www.EPRIDA.com if you are looking for real investment potential...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisGO OBAMA YEAH!!!!!!!!!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thismy dear president,to me you are an African president.i am an african too.i have an idea on how to totally curb emission of carbondioxide. reach me at emarintl@yahoo.com
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