"Obama, Romney Duel Over Climate Change in Online Debate"

Science is at the heart of some key policy issues dividing Republicans and Democrats. Presidential candidates Obama and Romney may never square off in person on TV over scientific issues like climate. But through "Science Debate 2012," they are addressing them in writing online. Is that good enough?



"At the Republican National Convention last week and in at least one stump speech over the weekend, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney used climate change as a laugh line ridiculing President Obama’s priorities.

But in comments to the Science Debate website Tuesday as part of an online debate organized by a consortium of scientific organizations, the Republican candidate took another position, similar to the more moderate stance he struck last year, when he conceded that the planet was getting warmer.

'I am not a scientist myself, but my best assessment of the data is that the world is getting warmer, that human activity contributes to that warming, and that policymakers should therefore consider the risk of negative consequences,' Romney said in response to a question about climate change."

Neela Banerjee reports for the Los Angeles Times September 4, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"Obama and Romney Weigh in on Science Questions" (Dot Earth/NYT)

Science Debate 2012 Homepage

"Obama and Romney Tackle 14 Top Science Questions" (Scientific American)

"Why Romney and Obama’s Written Science Answers Aren’t Enough" (io9)

Source: LA Times, 09/05/2012