Science Journalism :: Article :: Online science community reacts to Obama's victory

After Senator Barack Obama defeated Senator John McCain in the presidential election, Canadians and Americans converged online to explain what they expect over the next four – and in some cases eight – years.

With the election over, reporters began anticipating Obama’s first moves as president and some of the obstacles he faces. Scientists are optimistic and seem to think Obama is the solution to many of the problems they have with the current administration.

During the election campaign, scientists pressured candidates to address key issues. Science Debate 2008, a grassroots initiative made up of scientists and organizations like the American Association for the Advancement of Science, asked presidential candidates to reply to 14 questions about science and technology, such as, “What is your position on government regulation and funding of stem cell research?” This made it clear to those interested where each candidate stood on a variety of issues.

Since November 4th, election day, online discussions about science policy have focused on climate change and stem cell research.

CLIMATE CHANGE

McCain and Obama had similar strategies for approaching the climate change crisis. Both intended to implement a cap-and-trade system to help lower greenhouse gas emissions.

David Biello, on his Scientific American blog said, "Even engaging the issue would be a big change from the past eight years."

Ultimately, the differences lay in the administration of the system. Initially, McCain planned to give companies their emission allowances before moving to a system where emission permits are auctioned off. Obama planned to auction permits from the beginning.

McCain planned to reduce emissions by the end of his four-year term. Obama gave no short-term goal, but by 2050 Obama wants to reduce emissions to 80 per cent below 1990 levels, where McCain's long-term goal was a 60 per cent reduction below 1990 levels.

Simon Donner, a UBC professor of geography, was hoping Obama would win, especially once the Conservatives won Canada's federal election. He worried that the Canadian Conservative government would not implement a climate change plan unless, according to his blog, “there is pressure from the next US administration."

Some online bloggers worry that Obama will not be able to effect as much change as some people hope.

Alan Boyle, on his Cosmic Log at the MSNBC site, said that Obama will have to start meeting his campaign promise of reducing greenhouse gas emission during his time in the White House. His administration faces the challenge of tackling climate change “in the midst of massive economic problems,” said Boyle.

Similarly, Biello expressed his concern about the opposition Obama will face with climate change policies. "Obama can count on opposition as he tries to move forward with any energy or climate regulations from conservative Republicans," he wrote.

Despite suggestions such as those from Boyle and Biello, Obama has vowed to stick with climate change and an energy plan. The New York Times has even developed a blog called, The Green Inc. that discusses environmental issues in terms of politics and business. One contributor, James Kanter, wrote about how the poor economy is likely to effect climate change action.

“The credit crunch is also expected to interrupt the cycle of investment that had been underway in lower carbon forms of energy, including projects for renewable energy and new nuclear reactors,” said Kanter.

Last week Obama confirmed that he will keep his promise of investing $150 billion to develop alternative energy sources, including solar, wind and biofuels, and hitting his target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80 per cent below 1990 levels despite the fiscal environment. He argues that these measures are necessary during a financial crisis.

“My presidency will mark a new chapter in America’s leadership on climate change that will strengthen our security and create millions of new jobs in the process,” said Obama.

STEM CELLS

The current US president, George W. Bush, and his administration put restrictions on stem cell research. They banned federal funding for research involving stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001.

McCain and Obama's stem cell research positions differed greatly. Obama was highly supportive of stem cell research: “Embryonic stem cells remain unmatched in their potential for treatment of a wide variety of diseases and health conditions,” said his website.

McCain did not support any research involving embryonic stem cells. His website stated: "The compassion to relieve suffering and to cure deadly disease cannot erode moral and ethical principles.”

As president, Obama said he would lift the ban on federal funding of research involving embryonic stem cell lines. He supports the use of human embryos that have been freely donated to in vitro fertilization clinics that would otherwise be destroyed.

Many scientists who use stem cells for their research were quick to express their happiness with Obama's win.

"Watching the election last night was a singular event, like watching the Berlin Wall fall," said Dr. Clayton Smith to the Vancouver Sun. Dr. Smith is the director of the Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Program of B.C.

Michigan was highlighted in the stem cell research debate when citizens voted to overturn a bill that forbade human embryo destruction for the purpose of scientific research.

Nathan Bomey, a writer for the Ann Arbor Business Review, said that although this was great news for scientists at Michigan universities, the concern is that stem cell research still won't be funded with the economy in its present state.

David Goldston, a columnist from Nature News , summed up his expectations for change after the Bush administration from the perspectives of both scientists and the new administration one day after the election.

"The air of anticipation in the nation's laboratories and faculty clubs is not unfounded; the danger is that it will become excessive,” he said. “Scientists are going to have to tame their insatiable appetite for dollars, and their tendency to see politicians as either with them or against them."