AP Has John Holdren’s First Interview Since Confirmation
The short newsbreak available at the moment seems like a small portion of a longer forthcoming feature, but the wire focused on the OSTP director’s comments on geoengineering:
John Holdren told The Associated Press in his first interview since being confirmed last month that the idea of geoengineering the climate is being discussed. One such extreme option includes shooting pollution particles into the upper atmosphere to reflect the sun’s rays. Holdren said such an experimental measure would only be used as a last resort.
Update: Holdren is doing rounds of interviews, including one in which he spoke to ScienceInsider about former SP advisory board member Tom Kalil, who has joined the office as deputy director for policy.
Update 2: ScienceInsider reports on the disproportionate focus given to Holdren’s comments about geoengineering, with this note:
(Update 6pm: In light of headlines like this and this, Holdren spokesman Rick Weiss emailed ScienceInsider to say: ”There was nothing in Dr. Holdren’s comments to the AP to suggest that the administration is actively pursuing or even currently envisioning a geo-engineering approach. The administration’s primary focus is still to seek comprehensive energy legislation that can get us closer to a clean energy economy, create green jobs and reduce dependence on foreign oil while reducing the risks of climate change.”)
The AP may very well have guessed its coverage would generate such headlines. Good way to grab attention; a questionable way to effectively communicate science policy.
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