There is no scientific debate—only a political one.

Interesting comments to consider from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Do you base a decision of sound science or hysteria and misinformation?

Guess what the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources did with a state-funded scientific report on the flooding, contamination, and coastal "dead zones" that climate change could bring to the state?¹

They buried it. The department's politically-appointed board said it didn't want to address "the reasons for climate change, which remain under scientific debate."²

There is no scientific debate—only a political one.

When we found out about this, UCS members sprang into action—and after scrutiny from local media and people like you, state officials now say they will release the report.³

We need your help to make sure they keep their promise—and to fight the suppression of science whenever and wherever it happens.

Why support UCS? Because attacks like these won't stop. Right now, science is under threat in state houses around the country:

In North Carolina, lawmakers are trying to repeal the state's renewable energy standards using a bill drafted by coal and oil company-backed groups.⁴

In Missouri, legislators are trying to force science teachers to give equal time to "intelligent design" and "destiny" when they discuss the theory of evolution.⁵ But the last time I checked, scientists decide what science is—not politicians.

With your support, our policy and media teams run rapid-response campaigns that inform the public about abuses of science and power. And our efforts are effective. In just the past few months UCS played a leading role in beating back an effort in Kansas—home of Koch Industries—to gut that state's renewable energy standard.

But we also go beyond the attacks—evaluating how business and government treat science and scientists. Our recent report, Grading Government Transparency, details how federal agencies allow scientists to communicate with the public. One agency immediately took notice: Just four hours after the report's release, the U.S. Geological Survey publicly adopted our recommendations.

Sincerely, Kevin Knobloch President

1. http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/got-science/2013/got-science-april-2013.html
2. http://www.thestate.com/2013/02/26/2650685/ex-wildlife-chief-warns-of-climate.html
3. http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/got-science/2013/got-science-april-2013.html
4. http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/04/04/1824171/alec-sponsored-bill-to-repeal-north-carolinas-renewable-energy-standard-narrowly-passes-out-of-committee/
5. http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/02/intelligent-design-missouri-evolution

 

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