ScienceDebate.org: on Energy & Oil

Donald Trump: Focus on disease & clean water, not "climate change"

TRUMP: There is still much that needs to be investigated in the field of "climate change." Perhaps the best use of our limited financial resources should be in dealing with making sure that every person in the world has clean water. Perhaps we should focus on eliminating lingering diseases around the world like malaria. Perhaps we should focus on efforts to increase food production to keep pace with an ever-growing world population. Perhaps we should be focused on developing energy sources and power production that alleviates the need for dependence on fossil fuels. We must decide on how best to proceed so that we can make lives better, safer and more prosperous.

CLINTON: When it comes to climate change, the science is crystal clear. Climate change is an urgent threat and a defining challenge of our time.

JILL STEIN: Climate change is the greatest existential threat that humanity has ever faced.

Hillary Clinton: $60B to make US the clean energy superpower of 21st century

1. Generate half of our electricity from clean sources, with half a billion solar panels installed by the end of my first term.
2. Cut energy waste in American homes, schools, hospitals and offices by 1/3 and make American manufacturing the cleanest and most efficient in the world.
3. Reduce American oil consumption by a third through cleaner fuels and more efficient cars, boilers, ships, and trucks.

Hillary Clinton: We need nuclear power to meet climate challenge

CLINTON: Meeting the climate challenge is too important to limit the tools available in this fight. Nuclear power--which accounts for more than 60 percent of our zero carbon power generation today--is one of those tools. I will work to ensure that the climate benefits of our existing nuclear power plants that are safe to operate are appropriately valued and increase investment in the research, development and deployment of advanced nuclear power. At the same time, we must continue to invest in the security of our nuclear materials at home, and improve coordination between federal, state, and local authorities. We must also seek to reduce the amount of nuclear material worldwide--working with other countries so minimize the use of weapons-grade material for civil nuclear programs.

Jill Stein: Climate change is humanity's greatest existential threat

• Enact an emergency Green New Deal to turn the tide on climate change, revive the economy and make wars for oil obsolete.
• Enact energy democracy based on public, community and worker ownership of our energy system. Treat energy as a human right.
• Redirect research funds from fossil fuels into renewable energy and conservation. Build a nationwide smart electricity grid.
• End destructive energy extraction and associated infrastructure: fracking, offshore drilling, and uranium mines.
• Support a strong enforceable global climate treaty that limits global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius and provides just financial compensation to developing countries.
• Support organic & regenerative agriculture and sustainable forestry.
• Enact stronger environmental justice laws to ensure that low-income/communities of color are not disproportionately impacted.