Editorial: Science Cannot Continue to be Politicized

Sophia DeDonatis and Lucy Farmen

Although not a main facet of Trump’s campaign, his administration has been looking for ways to discredit and downplay the science of climate change since the very beginning of his time in office. This and many other acts of politicizing scientific evidence that have been committed by government officials is an injustice to citizens who simply seek to know more about the future of their world.

Science cannot continue to be politicized.

The administration’s most recent attack on the science of climate change is comprised of trying to limit what projections are included in the National Climate Assessment, refusal to sign off on a statement for the Arctic Council unless phrasing regarding climate change was omitted, and plans to rollback one of the most considerable federal efforts to inhibit greenhouse gas emissions.

These actions could prove a detriment to both climate and society. Scientific evidence should be made up of unbiased research and predictions that are provided to people to be considered for their rational thought and actions.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, 97 percent of climate scientists agree that climate change is driven by human activity. If people are lead to believe that climate change is not a part of their lives and will not ever be, then those people are likely to continue their habits of unsustainability and further the already growing problem.

Inconsistent reports in regards to climate climate change could also lead to an overly confused, paranoid, and distrusting populace. In a Washington Post interview with Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist at Texas Tech University, said “the president’s comments risk leaving the nation vulnerable to the ever-growing impacts of a warming planet.” Arguments could arise over what should be presented as undisputed facts, rather than cherry-picked pieces of evidence from the highest ranking national official in America.

The problem of climate change does not affect a specific group of people, a specific country, or even a specific region of the world. Climate change affects everyone and will continue to do so for many, many years to come unless action is taken. All governments should be united in striving for factual scientific evidence to see how everyone can work together to eliminate this global threat.

Science should not be partisan in its efforts. Governments should not be of the idea that they only have to care about their own countries affairs because these issues are not national, but rather they are international.

The New York Times reported that this could be “Mr. Trump’s most consequential action yet.” No matter what a person’s political views are or who they support, they need to understand that climate change is a veritable issue throughout the world.

Everyone needs to stand up and strive for true and accurate information that they can react to appropriately. Even doing things as simple as participating in the conversation by donating and joining organizations that further efforts of a health Earth, like 350, can make an impact.