Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Science Debate 2008

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 7:06 PM GMT on February 11, 2008

The issues of global warming and climate change are important to many voters, yet the media has done a poor job asking the U.S. presidential candidates about these topics. In a study quoted by The Boston Globe, in 2007 the major TV networks asked presidential candidates 2,679 questions. Of those questions, only three were about global warming--the same number of questions that were asked about UFOs. With the presidential race narrowed down to four main candidates--Hillary Clinton, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, and Barack Obama--it's time that the candidates' views on climate change be given more attention. To address this need, the four major candidates have been invited to participate in Science Debate 2008, a verbal debate to be held on April 18, 2008, at Philadelphia's Franklin Institute. The debate is cosponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Council on Competitiveness, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. Nearly 100 leading American universities and other organizations have signed on to promote the effort, along with many prominent scientists, writers, and members of Congress. The debate is designed to discover the candidates' views on many science-related topics, such as climate change, clean energy, health care, science education and technology in schools, scientific integrity, GM agriculture, transportation infrastructure, the genome, data privacy, intellectual property, pandemic diseases, the health of the oceans, water resources, stem cells, conservation and species loss, population, and the space program.

We need your help to make this debate happen! Contact the campaigns of the candidates to ask them to participate in the debate, sign a petition to approve of the debate, or write a letter to the editor of your local paper. Chris Mooney, who authored the excellent 2007 book, Storm World: Hurricanes, Politics, and the Battle Over Global Warming, is one of the leaders of the initiative, and has posted links one can use to help with these tasks, in his blog, The Intersection. Thanks for helping out!

Jeff Masters

Categories: Politics

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401. scwindsaloft 2:57 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
JFLORIDA what an amazing difference. I can't answer that one. Member Since: May 6, 2007 Posts: 1 Comments: 396

402. hahaguy 3:03 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
tornado warning for south western palm beach county Member Since: August 12, 2007 Posts: 2 Comments: 2838

404. scwindsaloft 3:06 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
Yea hahaguy, that cell has been trouble back when it was still in the GOM. Member Since: May 6, 2007 Posts: 1 Comments: 396

405. hahaguy 3:15 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
the storms are going NE right to me Member Since: August 12, 2007 Posts: 2 Comments: 2838

406. FLWeatherFreak91 3:17 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
Where are you hahaguy? Member Since: December 1, 2006 Posts: 2 Comments: 3462

407. hahaguy 3:25 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
port st lucie .well thats according to my radar Member Since: August 12, 2007 Posts: 2 Comments: 2838

408. HIEXPRESS 3:42 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
400, 401 maybe this is the difference CIMSS mid level shear Member Since: October 13, 2005 Posts: 4 Comments: 2153

410. HIEXPRESS 4:13 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
Tornado Warning Statement as of 10:59 PM EST on February 12, 2008 ... A Tornado Warning remains in effect until 1130 PM EST for northwestern Mainland Monroe County... At 1059 PM EST... Weather Service Doppler radar continued to indicate a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado. Damaging winds in excess of 60 mph are also possible. This storm was located near Wilderness Waterway north... moving northeast at 25 mph. Member Since: October 13, 2005 Posts: 4 Comments: 2153

411. 0741 6:32 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
i wont able to sleep on after other watch or warring i live in model home

412. 0741 6:35 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
i was say one after watch or warring their alot torando report tonight in south fl this south fl outbreak

413. 0741 6:37 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
who here in miami area how you weather been tonight

414. 0741 6:43 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
miami weather service working over time tonight

415. 0741 6:43 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
786 WFUS52 KMFL 130641 TORMFL FLC011-130715- /O.NEW.KMFL.TO.W.0013.080213T0641Z-080213T0715Z/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL 141 AM EST WED FEB 13 2008 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MIAMI HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... WESTERN BROWARD COUNTY IN SOUTH FLORIDA. * UNTIL 215 AM EST * AT 139 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 6 MILES WEST OF INTERSECTION ALLIGATOR ALLEY AND MIAMI CANAL...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH. IF YOU ARE NEAR THE PATH OF A TORNADO...SEEK SHELTER IN A STURDY BUILDING ON THE LOWEST FLOOR...AWAY FROM OUTSIDE WALLS AND WINDOWS. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 AM EST WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHERN FLORIDA. LAT...LON 2633 8070 2631 8035 2604 8071 2615 8086 TIME...MOT...LOC 0641Z 218DEG 36KT 2618 8071

416. 0741 7:07 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
miami radar is out

417. KoritheMan 7:47 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
Stay safe out there, 0741. Member Since: March 7, 2007 Posts: 410 Comments: 15463

418. HadesGodWyvern 7:52 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
At 6:00 AM UTC, Tropical Cyclone Nicholas Category One [980 hPa] located near 14.4S 120.8E or 425 kms north-northwest of Broome and 700 kms north-northeast of Port Hedland has 10 minute sustained winds of 40 knots with gusts up to 55 knots. The cyclone is reported moving east-northeast at 4 knots Dvorak Intensity: 2.5 Additional Information ------------------------ Nicholas has shown no signs of intensification during the day but in the longer term it is still likely to intensify. Nicholas is currently heading towards the east northeast, however, it is forecast to take a more southerly movement. Gales are not expected in coastal areas this afternoon or tonight, however, it is possible gales could develop in coastal areas between Kuri Bay and Pardoo later on Thursday or on Friday. Pilbara residents are advised that although the Pilbara coast west of Pardoo is not under threat in the next 48 hours, there is still a risk in that area over the weekend Tropical Cyclone Watches/Warnings ----------------------------------- A Cyclone WARNING has been declared for coastal areas from Kuri Bay to Bidyadanga. A Cyclone WATCH continues for coastal areas from Bidyadanga to Pardoo Forecast and Intensity ---------------------- 12 HRS: 14.2S 121.0E - 50 knots [CAT 2] 24 HRS: 15.1S 121.0E - 70 knots [CAT 3] 48 HRS: 16.3S 121.0E - 85 knots [CAT 3] Member Since: May 24, 2006 Posts: 43 Comments: 36689

419. FLWeatherFreak91 10:19 AM GMT on February 13, 2008
The Weather escapes me...No matter who forecasts what, it can always turn out wrong. Every computer model, every meteorologist, and all weather junkies predicted that last night would be a severe weather outbreak in Florida- it sure wasn't here, and I don't even think s. fl's incident could be considered and outbreak. I ended up with .62 inches and that occurred at 5 pm yesterday...not 1/10 of an inch even fell last night. Who knows? Maybe the actual front will take everyone by surprise...I doubt it Member Since: December 1, 2006 Posts: 2 Comments: 3462

420. CybrTeddy 12:12 PM GMT on February 13, 2008
By the Way, theres a Tropical Cyclone out in the Indian Ocean with a name we might all remember.... Ivan. Member Since: July 8, 2005 Posts: 253 Comments: 20267

422. TampaSpin 1:34 PM GMT on February 13, 2008
Looking at Satellite the worse if you call that might be coming to south florida. Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747

423. AussieStorm 2:13 PM GMT on February 13, 2008
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Western Australia Media: The Standard Emergency Warning Signal should NOT be used with this warning. TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 16 Issued at 9:50 pm WDT on Wednesday, 13 February 2008 BY THE BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING CENTRE PERTH A Cyclone WARNING is current for coastal areas from Bidyadanga to Kuri Bay. A Cyclone WATCH is current for coastal areas from Pardoo to Bidyadanga. At 9:00 pm WDT Tropical Cyclone Nicholas, was estimated to be 355 kilometres north northwest of Broome and 670 kilometres north northeast of Port Hedland and moving southeast at 7 kilometres per hour. Nicholas has shown no signs of intensification during the day but in the longer term it is still likely to intensify. Nicholas is likely to move slowly south over the next 48 hours. Gales are not expected in coastal areas overnight, however, it is possible gales could develop in coastal areas between Kuri Bay and Bidyadanga later on Thursday or Friday and may extend further south and west to Pardoo during Friday. Pilbara residents are advised that although the Pilbara coast west of Pardoo is not under threat in the next 48 hours, there is still a risk in that area over the weekend. Details of Tropical Cyclone Nicholas at 9:00 pm WDT: Centre located near...... 14.9 degrees South 121.3 degrees East Location accuracy........ within 55 kilometres Recent movement.......... towards the southeast at 7 kilometres per hour Wind gusts near centre... 100 kilometres per hour Severity category........ 1 Central pressure......... 980 hectoPascals FESA-State Emergency Service advises of the following community alerts: BLUE ALERT: People in or near the communities between Kuri Bay and Bidyadanga, including Cockatoo Island, Koolan Island, Derby, Cape Leveque, One Arm Point, Djarindjin, Lombadina, Beagle Bay, Broome and Bidyadanga should commence taking precautions. Communities between Pardoo and Bidyadanga should listen for the next advice. The next advice will be issued by 1:00 am WDT Thursday 14 February. Member Since: September 30, 2007 Posts: 5 Comments: 13358

424. Patrap 2:15 PM GMT on February 13, 2008
Never wish for calamity...it just may deliver itself. Here yesterday a 51 yr old woman ignored advice from Hospital workers to stay indoors as a Tornado warning was in effect.She went to go to her car..the funnel came thru..picked her up..and slammed her against a car ..She perished. Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 372 Comments: 111610

425. Patrap 2:15 PM GMT on February 13, 2008
Never wish for calamity...it just may deliver itself. Here yesterday a 51 yr old woman ignored advice from Hospital workers to stay indoors as a Tornado warning was in effect.She went to go to her car..the funnel came thru..picked her up..and slammed her against a car ..She perished. Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 372 Comments: 111610

426. TheCaneWhisperer 2:41 PM GMT on February 13, 2008
Sad story Patrap, it's amazing the amount of ignorance in some people. Just recently moved out to Wellington, FL (Central Palm Beach). We had a couple warnings last night. Yeah it was 12am, it sucked, but not as bad as getting caught off guard.

427. Patrap 2:58 PM GMT on February 13, 2008
Yeah, all the Nurses warned her not to go outside ,..and it was the last thing she did.So true and sad at the sad time. Never tempt Mother Nature .. Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 372 Comments: 111610

428. sporteguy03 2:58 PM GMT on February 13, 2008
Dr.Masters, Thank you for the update! Member Since: July 7, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 4824

430. weathers4me 3:01 PM GMT on February 13, 2008
I recorded exactly one inch of rain yesterday here in Bradenton FL. (near the sky way bridge). It looks like we dodged a bullet with all the predictive models forecasting the potential for nasty weather. Member Since: May 24, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 112

431. surfmom 3:10 PM GMT on February 13, 2008
StormW thanks for the update --did not go to work today at the Polo Club - may have been a bad call- expected rain all morning...figured it would be too wet to take the horses out for their fitness run. Now I'm trying to figure out what to do --probably will start pouring once I get there, Just really grateful for whatever rain we get. Read this morning, in a small hidden article, Lake Okeechobee is at it's lowest level EVER recorded. Member Since: July 18, 2007 Posts: 30 Comments: 26538

432. NEwxguy 3:10 PM GMT on February 13, 2008
La Nina is giving us here in the Northeast some rough weather,we started with 3 inches of snow last night over to freezing raing and now heavy rain all day. THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR * PORTIONS OF NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...MASSACHUSETTS...SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND RHODE ISLAND...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...HARTFORD CT...TOLLAND CT AND WINDHAM CT. IN MASSACHUSETTS...CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA...EASTERN ESSEX MA...EASTERN HAMPDEN MA...EASTERN NORFOLK MA...EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA...NORTHERN BRISTOL MA...SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA... SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA...SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA...SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA...SUFFOLK MA...WESTERN ESSEX MA...WESTERN HAMPDEN MA...WESTERN NORFOLK MA AND WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA. IN SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE...EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH. IN RHODE ISLAND... BRISTOL RI...EASTERN KENT RI...NEWPORT RI...NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI...SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI...WASHINGTON RI AND WESTERN KENT RI. * THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING * RAINFALL OF 1 TO 2.5 INCHES IS EXPECTED TO FALL TODAY FROM 7 AM THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. RUNOFF FROM THIS RAINFALL...COMBINED WITH SOME SNOW MELT WILL LEAD TO THE POTENTIAL OF SIGNIFICANT URBAN AND POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING. AREAS OF SLUSH COVERED STORM DRAINS AND UNDERPASSES ARE ALSO A CONCERN FOR FLOODING. * SOME SMALLER RIVERS AND STREAMS MAY RISE OUT OF THEIR BANKS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THIS INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO THE PAWTUXET RIVER AT CRANSTON RI...THE NEPONSET RIVER AT NORWOOD MA...ASSEBET RIVER AT MAYNARD MA AND THE SUDBURY RIVER IN SAXONVILLE MA. A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS. ALTHOUGH RIVER FLOODING IS OF SOME CONCERN... OUR PRIMARY CONCERN RIGHT NOW IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNFICANT URBAN FLOODING. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP. Member Since: September 6, 2007 Posts: 816 Comments: 13132

433. NEwxguy 3:12 PM GMT on February 13, 2008
Pat,thats an awful story,you see people all the time disrepecting the power of mother nature,and it usually ends tragically. Member Since: September 6, 2007 Posts: 816 Comments: 13132

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