June 21, 2016

In his 2009 inaugural address, President Barack Obama called for expanded investments in research and development and a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Nearing the end of President Obama’s second term, the White House Press Secretary has released an impact statement listing 100 Examples of President Obama’s Leadership in Science Technology and Innovation.

The 100 examples listed in the statement include: (#13) making federally funded scientific research freely accessible to the public through journals and digital data, making possible the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) public access plan; (#64) enhancing U.S. Earth-imaging capabilities through seven NASA  missions since 2014; (#65) improving weather forecasting through investment in the National Weather Service; (#66) encouraging innovative water solutions through national action plans; (#67) launching the Nutrient Sensor Challenge to monitor nutrient levels in aquatic ecosystems; and (#100) improving U.S. resilience to natural hazards through disaster response and recovery systems.

The report also outlined President Obama’s action on climate change, including (#54) Obama’s Climate Action Plan, (#55) the Climate Services for Resilient Development partnership  (#57) efforts to support renewable technologies, (#59) establishment of greenhouse gas and fuel-economy standards, and (#60) support for innovation in the energy sector.

The press release coincides with a milestone for President Obama’s staff: on June 25, Dr. John Holdren became the longest serving Science Advisor in U.S. history since the role was established by Vannevar Bush, Director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development during the Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman Administrations.

Sources: Alliance for Coastal Technologies, Office of Management and Budget, Office of the Press Secretary, Office of Scientific Research and Development, Office of Science Technology and Policy, President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, The New York Times, U.S. Geological Survey

Updated 7/11/16