While President Obama visited the Everglades in Florida on Earth Day, he met with Bill Nye the Science Guy to discuss science education, with a focus on girls and minorities, and of course, climate change -- specifically those in Congress dubbed as part of "climate denier clubs."
"As a guy born in the U.S., as a patriot, I am just delighted that we are all working together -- really, at last -- on addressing climate change so that we can, dare I say it, change the world," Nye said in the introduction of the video released by the White House.
As the two sat on a covered pier against the backdrop of the swamp, they discussed how to move forward in encouraging young people to take an interest in science and how to tackle the threat of climate change.
"These are your peeps," Obama joked as he asked Nye how exactly to fix the science education problem.
Laughing, Nye answered, "Well, our problem, we have to invest in science education and very compelling research [shows] 10 years old is about as old as you can be to get the so-called lifelong passion for science."
Nye said to do that, you need science in "every grade, every day." Obama added that society needs to also add its support and elevate science in order to help reverse the downward trend. The president reminded that America was built on science and innovation:
NYE: Well, I grew up with the space program. I'm all about science.
OBAMA: You know -- and everybody talks about the space program, which was so inspiring to your generation. But, you know, it goes a little further back than that. You got Benjamin Franklin with a kite and you've got Thomas Edison, and the Wright brothers. And so that has always been in our DNA. And yet, sometimes what we see in the popular culture is a, if not denigration, then not an emphasis on science.
NYE: But it's changing.
Nye then turned to Obama and quoted from the Constitution, Article 1, Section 8 where Congress is implored to promote the progress of science.
"That's part of my constitutional duty," Obama replied.
Which was a perfect segue to begin bashing Congress and other members of the "climate denier clubs." Obama naturally took the lead in saying Congress is "basically stiff arming" the "facts" and not providing any facts in rebuttal, but with only "anecdote." Obama indicated that he has capacity to look at facts and base his conclusions on the evidence.
In agreement, Nye suggested that the United States take the lead role in battling the climate: "I want the U.S. to lead. I want the U.S. to be the best in the world at the new solutions and innovations and what it's going to take to address climate change for the betterment of everybody."
"We're getting busy," Obama assured. "America is beginning to lead."
