The Policy and Politics of Energy and Science

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FSEM 180Stephen BradforthThe Policy and Politics of Energy and ScienceFor an understanding why scientists report information the way they do and how society should treat scientific opinion, a good place to start is to know:

1. How do scientists receive funding and recognition for their work.

2. Where do most scientists work and what motivates them.Scientists?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjaTDA-9_sk

ScientistsPublicDemocratsRepublicansFavor nuclear power70%52%45%62%Favor using animals in research93%52%48%62%Pew Survey 2009Also, Democrats tend to oppose genetically modified foodsReagan increased funding for basic science4Energy PolicyPosition of the candidates on Energy:From presidential debate 2 All of the Above Energy Policy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19973305

Green Energy subsidies are 15x more expensive per job than fossil fuel subsidies

Climate ChangeFor an issue that was high on voters list of priorities 4 years ago, barely registered this year.

Laugh line for Romney campaign

Hidden from Obamas current agenda

Re-emerges with Hurricane Sandy

What is climate change and do scientists agree about climate change?

I do believe that the issue of global warming has been politicized. I think there are a substantial number of scientists who have manipulated data so that they will have dollars rolling into their projects I think we're seeing it almost weekly or even daily, scientists who are coming forward and questioning the original idea that man-made global warming is what is causing the climate to change Rick Perry, Texas Governor and GOP candidate for President, last week in NH

Further he went on to say. I don't think from my perspective that I want America to be engaged in spending that much money on [what is] still a scientific theory that has not been proven, and from my perspective, is more and more being put into question.8Eliminating the problemOne way to get rid of science you dont like is to abolish an agency that is the biggest source of funding for physical science research in the US (even if you cant remember its name.)

What is the public impression of scientists?

Those surveyed said that scientists:were apt to be odd and peculiar people (25 percent agreed),had few other interests but their work (29 percent), andwere not likely to be very religious people (30 percent). But when asked if your son or daughter or other family member said they wanted to be a scientist, technician, or an engineer, how pleased would you be?"Scientist" received the highest level of endorsement, 10, higher than engineer.(80 % of respondents to the 2001 NSF survey said they would be happy with that decision)

Harris poll (2002) has the following ranking: Firefighters (61%), Scientist (54%), Teacher (54%), Doctor (52%), Military (52%), Nurse, Police Officer, Clergy, Farmer, Engineer, Congressman (26%), architect, lawyer (22%). Real estate broker (5%).12

Pew Survey 2009

14Too much faith in science?Are the public over-confident in the ability of science and technology to solve all problems:

Developing new energy sources quick enough to deal with diminishing oil and global warmingTaking care of atmospheric pollutionDealing with population growth and the food supplyAre scientists honest brokers?The role of scientists is not to determine which risks are worth taking, or deciding what choices we should take, but the scientists must be involved in indicating what the possible choices are. The role of a scientist is not to decide between the possibilities but to determine what the possibilities are.Lord May, 1990The Honest Broker, Rober Pielke Jr, Cambridge University PressFrom the honest Broker, Rober Pielke Jr, Cambridge Press16Putting cost on fixing energy crisis in perspective

850 bn = $1.35 tnHow expensive is solving the energy crisis?Obama renewable energy spending $5.4 bn in 2012

Cost for UK to reach 20% renewable (UK government, $ 35bn)Global costs of averting dangerous climate change (Stern review) $440 bn.Cost to reach global total renewable (McKay Scenario M, $1.5 tn)

Cost of 2012 Olympic Games $14 bn Cost of 2012 Presidential Campaign: $2 bn

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Source MacKayWithout the Hot Air (2009)The Present SituationSolar is too expensive to meet our current energy needsRenewables simply not enough to come anywhere close to completely meeting our needs fast enoughWe need another source in the interimOptions are: Decreasing coal and increasing gas (lower CO2 emissions) Build out more nuclearMassive effort in conservation (policy)Increased investment in Carbon capture technology and cheaper renewables

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Source: BBC News

Results Come in at (PST)4:00 pm: GA, IN, KY, SC, VT, VA4:30 pm: NC, OH, WV5:00 pm: AL, CT, DE, DC, FL, IL, ME, MD, MA, MS, MO, NH, NJ, OK, PA, RI, TN5:30 pm: AR6:00 pm: AZ, CO, KS, LA, MI, MN, NE, NM, NY, ND, SD, TX, WI, WY7:00 pm: IA, MT, NV, UT8:00 pm: CA, HI, ID, OR, WA10:00 pm: AK20121018_me_04NPRBlues252699.3