AAAS S&T Forum Keynote Address: Obama's Science Advisor Urges U.S. Climate Policy Leadership Worldwide

America must become "a leader in the world" and "not a laggard" in addressing global climate change, U.S. science advisor John P. Holdren said 30 April during the 34th Annual AAAS Forum.

Holdren, assistant to the president for science and technology and director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, said that "the voices of the climate science community are being heard." He noted, however, that "the biggest challenge is the policy challenge."

Holdren said that he and President Barack Obama will work closely with Congress to develop a legislative response to global climate change. His remarks took place as climate scientists are preparing for a major international conference in Copenhagen, 6-18 December.

Holdren also described key challenges and focuses for OSTP. He served as president of AAAS from February 2006 to February 2007, and as chairman of the AAAS Board of Directors for a year after that.

Read more, and watch a video excerpt of his remarks.