Jim Bryan answers SEA Questions

The Seven Questions by SEA's Science, Health and Related Policies (SHARP) Program

1. Innovation. Science and technology have been responsible for half of the growth of the American economy since World War II. But several recent reports question America's continued leadership in these vital areas. What policies would you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?

My answer to Innovation

I cited Georgia Tech's 2008 High Tech Indicators study, which documented (by the researchers' score) that China's capabilities had overtaken the USA's. I cited it in connection with education. Education is one of my answers. A second, of course, is support and encouragement of research, university and industrial. A third is encouragement of needed technologies.

There is perhaps no better example of failure to encourage appropriate innovation for wind and solar energy than Congress's 2007 refusal to extend tax credits for renewable energy. Thomas Friedman writes in his book Hot, Flat and Crowded that the bill was shot down because incentive funding would have come by taking away tax credits from oil companies. It appears to me that the measures have been passed in HR 6, an omnibus energy bill. Friedman, however, writes that the credits had not been passed as of July 2008. I can't give a definite answer here because of the complexity of Congressional legislation. Nevertheless, the story stands as an example of Congressional irresolution and pliability on a vital issue.

The story also points out the importance of funding. Congressmen can vote for any number of really cool things to do, then vote later for a budget that gives them ten percent of what they need. I will make this point again in education.

2. Climate Change. The Earth's climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change-a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, and research? Are there other policies you would support?

My answer to Climate Change

Fuel economy standards are vital. Increasing mileage from 15 to 35 mpg saves twice as much fuel as an increase from 35 to 100 mpg. It can be done with existing technology. Economy standards are a political and management task. The 100 mpg target is also vital, but falls closer to R&D. Research is vital.

Either a carbon tax ("environmental certainty," given significant limits of knowledge on the atmosphere) or a cap-and-trade system ("economic certainty") is vital. I have leant to a carbon tax, which is politically more difficult. Among other reasons, it is sure to reach the motor vehicle. On Oct. 7, the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a draft of climate change legislation two years in the making. The draft incorporates cap-and-trade. Of one thing I am certain - we do not have time to dither.

Among measures not mentioned, I would work: To end favored treatment of coal and oil extraction. To implement efficient public transportation, city and interstate, including added reliance on rail and waterborne freight.

3. Energy. Many scientists and policymakers say energy security and sustainability are major problems facing the United States this century. What policies would you support to meet the demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?

My answer to Energy

I am a retired Army paratrooper running for the House of Representatives in the most heavily military district in the USA. Yet, my choice of committees would be the Energy and Commerce Committee as most vital not only to America's environment and economy but to peace, stability and security.

Some policies I would support are covered under climate change. Perhaps I didn't put enough emphasis on research. Encouragement of carbon-free energy is vital. We also know that beef cattle account for huge releases of methane. Diet affects both health and environment.

For overall sustainability, materials conservation is vital. Reuse of industrial materials has a long history, in-plant conservation and "pollution prevention" since the 80s on any scale. Success has been demonstrated, but it's just a beginning. It has been shown that buildings can be deconstructed and the materials reused, but how often is it done? Did I mention that these activities can add both jobs and marketable products to America? Motor vehicles can be designed to be taken apart. The possibilities go on and on.

The government can use tax policy, judicious regulation, research support, in a few selected cases active government projects, and plain old political leadership to make these things happen.

4. Education. A comparison of 15-year-olds in 30 wealthy nations found that average science scores among U.S. students ranked 17th, while average U.S. math scores ranked 24th. What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K-12 students for the science and technology driven 21st Century?

My answer to Education

I said on my website that high-quality early childhood learning supports all later learning. We can't begin too early to instill in our children a sense of curiosity and confidence in their own ability to learn, nurtured from the first day in pre-K. Not all of that curiosity will go into technical fields - but aptitudes and ability cannot be lost because "engineering (or math, or physics) is too much work." We need teachers at all levels trained to instill curiosity, confidence, and enthusiasm -- teachers respected and paid for their skills. (These ideas are supported by a volunteer advisor with a doctorate in educational psychology.)

Remarkable things are done in high school labs and in science and engineering fairs - and the students have fun! The telling skill in the teacher is to uncover that ability and nurture that desire. (These have been observed first-hand by another volunteer advisor with a masters in environmental engineering from Georgia Tech.)

Finally, there must be a respect for the scientific and engineering professions, and the ability to make a respectable living. Depending on luring high school students into hard but rewarding fields with high starting salaries alone won't cut it.

The 110th Congress passed a bill for scholarships (HR 362 "10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds") for math and science teacher scholarships. I intend to be sure that bill is budgeted adequately. Remember, when reading about Congressional legislation, that the bucks are normally appropriated after the authorization. While a lobby or group of Congressmen may fight the authorization, and the President may threaten veto, that is just the first step in a negative campaign. The authorization is meaningless without a line in the budget.

5. Water. Thirty-nine states expect some level of water shortage over the next decade, and scientific studies suggest that a majority of our water resources are at risk. What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?

My answer to Water

There is a remarkable parallel between water and fuel. Our historic response to a water shortage has been to build a dam or drill deeper. Now, we are out of water in the Chattahoochee-Flint-Apalachicola basin and Florida's oysters are endangered. The situation now mirrors, in the "humid east" the problems in the Colorado and Salt (AZ) river basins. The federal government needs, constitutionally, to have a strong role in interstate matters, which includes most surface water and some ground-water issues. The federal role traditionally has focused on augmentation projects and who gets what. I believe that the federal role can be more far-reaching, as in mandating conservation of interstate waters.

Since water, unlike fuel, is reusable, the line between augmentation and conservation is blurred. The unavailable augmentation is more rainfall. Water reuse is possible in many situations. A half-century of advances in have brought us from rudimentary "primary" treatment of wastewater to the extraction of plant nutrients and trace materials and a near-potable product, assuming adequate quality of operation. In the Southwest, attention is being given to home or local storage of rainfall, and, as in Tucson, AZ, use of native plants for landscaping. Responsible irrigation is a must. The infrastructure, the water distribution system, is capable of large losses. I would consider federal grants for inspection and upgrading of distribution.

We are speaking here, as in energy issues, of changes in lifestyle and costs that citizens are not used to facing. In fact, that is true of every issue in this list. I support maintaining or reducing taxes on middle-class workers, but taxes are only part, and perhaps a small part, of the burdens America is facing. Failing to make the sacrifices will be disastrous, but making them has a huge potential payoff.

6. Research. For many years, Congress has recognized the importance of science and engineering research to realizing our national goals. Given that the next Congress will likely face spending constraints, what priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?

My answer to Research

I put research in energy sources at the top of the list. Perhaps equally vital is research in atmospheric and environmental science. Our conclusion that the climate is changing and the probable cause does not mean we know enough about it, and forecasts are essential to any action - or, more precisely, to the verification and tuning of the action we must take soon. Science is not static.

I am distressed at America's debt and I am committed to economy in government. Who isn't? However, without research and without encouragement of innovation America won't even be able to pay off the debt we have now. I don't care about world domination. I care about a healthy environment and a decent standard of life for Americans. If we take that as our task, given our potential, we will be world leaders.

We will have to be as judicious in our choices with military research and spending as with any other, because our place in the world does not depend on our military. Remember, I was a professional soldier.

7. Health. Americans are increasingly concerned with the cost, quality, and availability of health care. How do you see science, research, and technology contributing to improved health and quality of life?

My answer to Health

We have made huge advances in medical technology. The news in science even says we are not so far from cures for AIDS and cancer. Research in energy and climate, equally urgent, have received far less, and have health consequences as well. Where there is budget competition, these must be considered.

Every American ought to have access to adequate and affordable health care, including preventive care. Congress must meet the issues head-on. This is a political problem that science can't solve. Health care is not some privilege to be earned. It makes economic sense not to lose productive capacity through sickness and financial stress and money through bankruptcy, a too-frequent consequence of illness. Of course, this applies to medical care for veterans as well.

On this basis, Senator Obama's plan is superior.