Science / Technology Connection To the Election

-=Offshore Drilling= –

Offshore drilling is the mining the raw materials that are found underwater close to a shoreline. Currently, offshore drilling is present in the North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, near the coasts of Brazil, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia, and adjacent to Nigeria, Angola and South East Asia. It provides the same resources as drilling on land, however it is somewhat harder to manage and risks more environmental impacts. When drilling offshore, there is a possibility of oil spills, as well as hazardous dumping into the surrounding ocean or sea; this includes drilling fluid, chemicals used in oil production and metal cuttings from platforms. Whether we should drill off of our coasts or not is still being disputed and the candidates have been flip-flopping between opinions.

Barack Obama believes that we should not think of Offshore Drilling as an answer to our energy crisis so much as a quick delay to any total havoc. He will compromise that we can use it for now while we are still finding a real solution but it comes nowhere close to the actual thing we need.

John McCain supports offshore drilling an states we should reinstate it immediately. He thinks that this will be the perfect solution to all our energy problems and control the need for gas and oil for the years to come.

I think Barack Obama is right, to an extent but is not entirely correct. I think we should start offshore drilling immediately to solve for this shortage of power but definately get to work on finding a real solution as well.


-=Nuclear Weapons=-

Nuclear weapons are different explosive devices that harness the power of nuclear reactions. They are known to cause big explosions and have earned the names of weapons of mass destruction. Ever since the first appearance of a nuclear weapon, their control and usage have been major topics of discussion within politics. The extent of their power within the military has caused the legalization of nuclear weapons in different countries all over the world to be a great dispute. The choice of whether or not to participate in nuclear warfare remains in the hands of the head of government in each particular country.

Barack Obama is greatly against nuclear weapons, he knows how dangerous they are and wants to clear them from the planet. He wants to send a message to all of earth saying that America is not going to use them and hopefully sway other countries to remove them as well.

John McCain doesn't support the use of nuclear weapons but he does think we should not be leaning towards them for great use. He says the chances of them actually using them is very small but he will definately not get rid of them for the US until all other countries have removed them to. Which he says is impossible.

I think that we should focus on eliminating them, mainly by getting rid of about half, then showing the other countries. That way over time they start going away, and eventually we have none left.


-=Global Warming= –

Global warming refers to the fact that the earth’s average temperature per year has risen drasticlly in the last few centuries. It is said to be caused by greenhouse effect, as well as natural events such as solar variation and volcanoes. Over thirty scientific societies and academies of science have supported these claims. Its predicted effects include eliminating certain species, create a drought around the Southwest and raise sea levels.

Barack Obama believes that the cause of Global Warming is our fuel efficieny problems. Barack Obama's plan to fight global warming is that we need to increase our energy efficiency. He plans to set up a multi-national plan to raise money so that poorer countries will be able to survive during this time of very possible famine.

John McCain's plan is to remove the greenhouse gases creaters. He will tell all the other nations but not really work with them closely. He will find all sources that could be producing green house gases and shut them down or make them eco-friendly.


I think Barack Obama has a good plan to work with all nations and increase our fuel effiecieny as a whole. I think John McCain just doesn't realize that there is alot more of the world that also effect our planet. Those need to be changed for the better as well.