JLVernonPhD presents "American SciCo"

As the Republican Party wakes this Monday morning with the lingering taste of celebratory champagne in their mouths, they ought not feel too comfortable.  A tide of opposition is rising in America from the least expected of places: science.  You see, science is not known as a bastion of rebellion, but I’m here to tell you that was the old science. 

In the past, many scientists chose to be apolitical in public.  The root of this political aversion likely stems from the knowledge that political advocacy could put one’s research funding in jeopardy.  The path to retribution could be easily masked by the complexities of the funding process.  Therefore, it was dangerous for a scientist to be perceived as too closely invested in any given political position.  Unfortunately, that brand of political pacifism has become a weight around scientists’ necks and the Republican Party knows it.  By threatening investigations of the EPA’s regulation of greenhouse gases, Congressmen Darrell Issa (R-Vista), Joe L. Barton (R- Texas) and F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.) have challenged climate scientists on their position.  This is nothing less than a declaration of political war on science.

Thankfully, scientists at the American Geophysical Union have decided to take a stand.  According to the L.A. Times’ Neela Banerjee, “Faced with rising political attacks, hundreds of climate scientists are joining a broad campaign to push back against congressional conservatives who have threatened prominent researchers with investigations and vowed to kill regulations to rein in man-made greenhouse gas emissions.”

When I read Banerjee’s article, I wanted to scream, “Yes! Finally someone out there has some guts!”  Having lost one of our most skilled gladiators in Stephen Schneider this year, I’m so proud to know that John Abraham is organizing a band of science warriors to stand up to the ignorance!

For more than 20 years, scientists have been muttering into their hands, “Dear madam and sir, I believe there might possibly be the remote chance that dumping tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere could be perceived as possibly doing bad things to the environment.  If you don’t mind, sirs and madams, perhaps we might ought to consider possibly stopping this behavior.” 

Now, it’s time to stand up and say, “We’re screwing up our planet and if you don’t do something about it soon, we’re going to screw up the future for our children and grandchildren.  If you disagree, show me your data!  Otherwise, get out of our way! SHOW ME YOUR DATA!”

While policy decisions are purely partisan, at this point, scientists should be prepared to criticize poorly designed policies from the Democrats and embrace reasonable policies from the Republicans.  For scientists, it shouldn’t be about who profits.  It should be about solving the problem.  I couldn’t care less who writes the policies.  I just know we need to do something…yesterday.

In the 60’s, the Republicans saw the error of their ways on the Civil Rights Act.  This is another opportunity for them to look within their souls and do the right thing.  If they choose to follow Barton, Issa, Inhofe and Sensenbrenner, they better prepare for a fight.

This is not just a call to arms for climate scientists.  This is call to all scientists. 

The “Science is Vital” movement in England was just a preview of what’s to come.  The American version of “Science is Vital” is in the works.  Details pending…