Science isn鈥檛 everything. But it is crucial to governing, decision-making, protecting human health and the environment and resolving questions and challenges around our existence.
Those determined to advance industrial interests over all else often attack science. We鈥檝e seen it in Canada, with a decade of cuts to research funding and scientific programs, muzzling of government scientists and rejection of evidence regarding issues such as climate change.
We鈥檙e seeing worse in the Unites States. The new administration is proposing drastic cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency, National Institutes of Health, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA and others. Information about climate change and environmental protection is being scrubbed from government websites, and scientists are being muzzled. Meanwhile, the government is increasing spending on military and nuclear weapons programs.
There鈥檚 nothing wrong with challenging research, developing competing hypotheses and looking for flaws in studies. That鈥檚 how science works. But rejecting, eliminating, covering up or attacking evidence that might call into question government or industry priorities 鈥� evidence that might show how those priorities could lead to widespread harm 鈥� is unconscionable. It鈥檚 galling to me because I traded a scientific career for full-time communication work because good scientific information helps people make the best decisions to take us into the future.
Many scientists prefer to work quietly, letting their research speak for itself. But recent attacks are galvanizing scientists and supporters throughout the U.S. and elsewhere. The March for Science on Earth Day, April 22, has been building steam for months. The main march will take place in Washington, D.C., but more than 425 marches are planned around the world. That kicks off a week of action, culminating in the Peoples Climate March on April 29 鈥� also focused on Washington but with satellite marches throughout the world.
The March for Science website says organizers are 鈥渁dvocating for evidence-based policymaking, science education, research funding, and inclusive and accessible science.鈥�
The group鈥檚 850,000-member Facebook page is inspiring, with 鈥渁dvocates, science educators, scientists, and concerned citizens鈥� sharing personal testimonials about their reasons for marching and why science is important to them, along with ideas for posters and slogans, questions about the march, articles about science and expos茅s of climate disinformation sent to schools and science teachers by the anti-science Heartland Institute.
March participants are a wide-ranging group, from a neuroscientist who is marching 鈥渇or the thousands of people suffering from spinal cord injury鈥� to sci-fi fans who are marching 鈥淏ecause you can鈥檛 have science fiction without science!鈥� to a scientist marching to honour 鈥渢he many, many women and young girls interested or involved in science鈥� to those marching 鈥渂ecause we know climate change is real.鈥�
Celebrating and advocating for science is a good way to mark Earth Day. I鈥檒l be in Ottawa, where a march is also taking place. David Suzuki Foundation senior editor Ian Hanington and I will launch our new book, Just Cool It!, at an Ottawa Writers Festival event that also features award-winning Nishnaabeg musician, scholar and writer Leanne Betasamosake Simpson.
Climate change is one area where anti-science rhetoric and actions at the highest levels of society are endangering human health and survival. Our book is a comprehensive look at the history and implications of climate science, the barriers to confronting the crisis and the many solutions required to resolve it.
It鈥檚 discouraging to witness the current attacks on science, and the ever-increasing consequences of climate change, diminishing ocean health and other human-caused problems, but seeing so many people standing up for science and humanity is reason for optimism. Of all the many solutions to global warming and other environmental problems, none is as powerful as people getting together to demand change.
Every day should be Earth Day, but it鈥檚 good to have a special day to remind us of the importance of protecting the air, water, soil and biodiversity that we all depend on for health and survival. Politicians are supposed to work for the long-term well-being of people who elect them, not to advance the often short-sighted agendas of those who pay large sums of money to get their way regardless of the consequences. Standing together to make ourselves heard is one of the best ways to ensure they fulfil their responsibilities.
David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Senior Editor Ian Hanington.
Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org.
