Barack Obama's vision of a scientific America

What are Obama's specific pledges? First, to increase federal funding for science and engineering, which has halved as a share of GDP since 1970. He has promised to double the innovation budgets of the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the other key agencies over the straightway decade, supporting high-risk, high-reward technology in computing, biotech, nanotechnology and other fields.

Cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions

There will be a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions and renewed engagement with international climate groups, including the UN's; investment in nuclear energy, clean coal research and energy efficiency; and a requirement that 10 per cent of America's energy comes from renewable sources by 2012.

There is no doubt that the President-elect sees an increased investment in science and research as a way to introduce greener policies and help his country fight its way out of its economic turmoil.

As the National Academy of Sciences warned in its report of the same year, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, America's advantages in the marketplace and in science and innovation will be eroded without it.