UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / 27 September 2008 --U.S presidential candidates Senators Barack Obama and John McCain have become the first presidential candidates ever to answer a 14-question survey on critical water issues as well as those on climate change, energy, innovation, education, national security, genetics research, space and health that were produced by Science Debate 2008 in collaboration with Scientists & Engineers for America (SEA), the AAAS, the National Academies, and the Council of Competitiveness.   

It is also the first time that the scientific societies have pro-actively come together with one voice to produce a succinct set of science and technology questions for the presidential candidates in order to help restore a presidential debate focused on science issues.

The 14-question survey was crafted from over 3,400 submissions sent in from the US scientific and engineering community.  It covers a broad base of topics that reflect some of the most important unresolved challenges currently facing the country and the world.

In addition to the topic of water as one of the country’s challenges, the survey addresses climate change, energy, innovation, education, national security, genetics research, space and health.

Based on this recent collection of responses from both political camps, perhaps a greater emphasis on US water challenges can be anticipated from either party that will be guiding the next US administration.

According to Senator Obama, water is one of the “grand challenges” facing the US in the 21^st century.  And the solutions to the critical water challenges will require closer collaboration between federal, state, and local governments along with the active participation of the local community and business populations affected. 

Notes Obama, prices and policies must be set in ways that give everyone a clear incentive to use water more efficiently and avoid waste.  

For example, there needs to be more regulations affecting water use when it comes to appliances and more incentives to shift from irrigated lawns to “water smart” landscaping. 

Additionally, information, training and economic assistance should be provided to farms and businesses that need to shift to more efficient water practices.  

Observes the Senator, the most successful local programs addressing water conservation and water efficiency should be pro-actively expanded to other states and regions.   

As part of his response to the water topic featured on the questionnaire, Senator Obama emphasized that it is critical for the US to proactively implement a concerted program(s) of research, development and testing of new technologies that can assist in reducing water use.

And Senator Obama is also very bullish about implementing some kind of national plan that would assist high-growth regions with the challenges connected with managing their water supplies.  

As part of a national plan, he has indicated his support for the expansion of desalination options in the southwest region of the country.

Lastly, Senator Obama believes that the US needs to curtail the concept of transbasin diversions. 

As a result, he is a major supporter of the Great Lakes Basin Compact that appears to be heading for successful final approval by the House and signed into law by the President. 

The Compact has already achieved approval in the Senate by unanimous consent.

Late-received responses to the survey from the McCain campaign camp were far more general but re-enforced the candidate’s recognition of the vital role that water plays in the development of local economies.

The Senator is in favor of the protection of water rights, the improved management of the country’s water supplies, and the implementation of water conservation initiatives.

Senator McCain, like his Democratic Party rival, is also an advocate for establishing working partnerships that involve all levels of government seeking to build consensus about the equitable allocation of water resources. 

And like Barack Obama, John McCain is a supporter of the proposed Great Lakes Basin Compact as well as other existing compacts that ensures cooperation in achieving the implementation of water agreements among states.

Finally, Senator McCain is also bullish about encouraging technical developments that could in turn contribute to the reduction of water demands in select areas of the country.

Labels: United Nations, U.N., MaximsNews, MaximsNews WATER, MaximsNewsWATER, water, Barack Obama, John McCain, Senator Obama, Senator McCain, Presidential campaign, Presidential candidates, United States, USA, Democratic Party, Republican Party, water challenge, SEA, AAAS, National Academies, Council of Competitiveness, Great Lakes Basin Compact, Kathy Shandling, international development, environment, water news, water sustainability, water resource, water management, global water crisis, sustainable development 

 

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