ScienceDebate.org: on Environment


Donald Trump: Regulations by unelected officials reward special interests

Q: What steps will you take to protect biological diversity?

TRUMP: The federal executive branch has continued to expand its reach and impact. Today, we have agencies filled with unelected officials who have been writing rules and regulations that cater to special interests and that undermine the foundational notion of our government that should be responsive to the people. When these circumstances occur, there is an imbalance that rewards special interests and punishes the people who should benefit the most from the protection of species and habitat. In a Trump administration, there will be shared governance of our public lands and we will empower state and local governments to protect our wildlife and fisheries. Laws that tilt the scales toward special interests must be modified to balance the needs of society with the preservation of our valuable living resources. My administration will strike that balance by bringing all stakeholders to the table to determine the best approach.

Source: ScienceDebate.org: 20 questions for 2016 presidential race Oct 9, 2016

Hillary Clinton: Conserving biodiversity is essential to our quality of life

Q: What steps will you take to protect biological diversity?

CLINTON: Conserving biodiversity is essential to maintaining our quality of life. Healthy soils provide the foundation for agricultural productivity and help absorb carbon; wetlands soak up floodwaters and pollutants and protect our communities; forests filter our water and keep it clean; bees and other pollinators are essential to our food supply; and coral reefs and coastal marshes are nurseries for our fisheries. Although we have made considerable progress protecting our environment and conserving our natural resources, climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, unsustainable management practices, introduction of invasive species and other forces pose serious threats to biodiversity and our way of life. We need to collaborate across all sectors and at all levels to conserve our natural resources and maintain the viability of our ecosystems.

Source: ScienceDebate.org: 20 questions for 2016 presidential race Oct 9, 2016

Hillary Clinton: Establish an American Parks Trust Fund

The 100th anniversary of our national park system is also an opportunity to re-energize America's proud land and wildlife conservation traditions. I will establish an American Parks Trust Fund to scale up and modernize how we protect and enhance our natural treasures, and to better protect wildlife habitat across the country.

Internationally, we need greater cooperation to address declining biodiversity. My Administration will work collaboratively with other nations to advance biodiversity science, further our understanding of the causes of biodiversity loss, and take action to diminish them. We will share information about our conservation successes, including our national parks, fish and wildlife refuge systems, and marine reserves to aid other nations working to protect their natural resources and conserve biodiversity. And we will work collaboratively to end trafficking in wildlife and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing that threatens our oceans.

Source: ScienceDebate.org: 20 questions for 2016 presidential race Oct 9, 2016

Jill Stein: Ban neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten pollinators

Q: What steps will you take to protect biological diversity?

STEIN: Protecting biodiversity is an extremely important and often overlooked priority. Here is how we will act to protect biodiversity:

  1. Protect our public lands, water supplies, biological diversity & parks. Ban neonicotinoids and other pesticides that threaten the survival of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
  2. Label GMOs, and put a moratorium on new GMOs and pesticides until they are proven safe.
  3. Support organic and regenerative agriculture and sustainable forestry.
  4. Protect the rights of future generations. Adopt the Precautionary Principle. The proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof.
  5. Enact stronger environmental justice laws and measures to ensure that low-income and communities of color are not disproportionately impacted by harmful pollution.
  6. Support conversion to sustainable, nontoxic materials and the use of closed-loop, zero waste processes.
    Source: ScienceDebate.org: 20 questions for 2016 presidential race Oct 9, 2016

    Jill Stein: Apply federal Superfund program to polluted drinking water

    Q: What steps will you take to deal with aging infrastructure, aquifer depletion, pollution, and ensure access to clean water?

    JILL STEIN: We need a national comprehensive water plan. Clean water is a human right. The Green New Deal's focus on infrastructure will help prevent future poisoned drinking water crises like that in Flint, Michigan. Rejuvenating the federal Superfund program will help clean up the polluted drinking water of millions of Americans.

    TRUMP: must explore all options to include making desalinization more affordable and working to build the distribution infrastructure to bring this scarce resource to where it is needed for our citizens and those who produce the food of the world.

    CLINTON: Chronic underinvestment in our nation's drinking and wastewater systems poses health risks to humans and wildlife, disrupts ecosystems, and disproportionately impacts communities of color.

    Source: ScienceDebate.org: 20 questions for 2016 presidential race Oct 9, 2016

    • The above quotations are from 20 Questions on science from ScienceDebate.org.
    • Click here for definitions & background information on Environment.
    • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
    2020 Presidential contenders on Environment:
      Democrats running for President:
    Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
    V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
    Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
    Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
    Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
    Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
    Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
    Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
    Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
    Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
    Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
    Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
    Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
    CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
    Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
    Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
    CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

    2020 Third Party Candidates:
    Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
    CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
    Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
    Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
    Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
    Howard Schultz(I-WA)
    Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)     		Republicans running for President:
    Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
    Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
    Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
    V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
    Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
    Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
    Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
    Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

    2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
    Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
    Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
    Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
    Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
    Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
    Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
    Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
    Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
    Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
    Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
    Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
    Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
    Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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    Page last updated: Nov 30, 2020