GOP debate: Technology can help eco-issues

JOHNSTON, Iowa, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Global warming is a real threat and must be addressed, Republican presidential hopefuls agreed Wednesday during their last debate before the Iowa caucuses.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told the audience in Johnston, Iowa, he's been involved with the climate change issue since 2000.

"It's real. We've got to address it," he said. "We can do it with technology ... with capitalist and free enterprise motivation. And I'm confident that we can pass on to our children and grandchildren a cleaner, better world."

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney agreed about technologies helping to address climate change, which would help the U.S. economy.

"Well ... we're going to invest in new technologies to get ourselves off of foreign oil, and as we get ourselves off of foreign oil, we also dramatically reduce our CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions," he said.

Iowa front-runner Mike Huckabee said if the U.S. government committed to being the primary user of alternative forms of energy, "we have a market built in ... and we'll create the kind of demand that lowers price rather than raise the price" of energy.

The Democratic presidential candidates debate Thursday, also in Johnston.

The Iowa party caucuses are Jan. 3.