Presidential tweets, however colorful, do not provide the core reasoning upon which societies make policy—it has and will continue to be science. 

Science and the respect for science in human growth are hard-won processes that helps free us from a Stone Age mentality. Evolutionary psychology rests on the observation that most of our modern brain traits are still wired for fighting nature, predators, and anyone who gets in our way. Our ‘gut’ reactions to background stimuli (like a rustle in the grass) are an example.  

Now, with over seven billion of us still growing on a planet filled with our infrastructures (roads, bridges, pipes) and the repercussions of our growth (Climate Change, pollution, loss of biodiversity, over consumption), science is a fundamental necessity for humanity moving quickly to address most of our environmental and technical challenges ahead. Science gives our minds a solid frame of reference that helps keep our paleolithic brains in check and adapt to a modern future.

“The scientific method is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.[2] To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry is commonly based on empirical or measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning.[3] The Oxford Dictionaries Online defines the scientific method as "a method or procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses".[4] Experiments are a procedure designed to test hypotheses. Experiments are an important tool of the scientific method.[5][6]” (Scientific Method, Wikipedia)

A political pushback on science isn’t going to change the facts, but it’s a mistake to think it doesn’t matter at this critical time where the window of opportunity is quickly closing to address Climate Change on a scale and time frame that will matter.

Those who underplay the ramifications of the Trump administration’s back peddling on science and trying to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Accord are not being realistic. Rather than having little or no effect on the renewable energy market, global efforts to address Climate Change, and gutting decades of hard-won environmental regulations, we may doubling-down on business as usual making the worst Climate Change scenarios inevitable.  

Why EPA’s Effort to Weaken Fuel Efficiency Standards Could be Trump’s Most Climate-Damaging Move Yet Weakening the CAFE auto standards could delay action on climate change for a generation — and launch a legal battle with California now. By hitting the brakes on the decades-long drive to reduce automotive carbon emissions, President Donald Trump's administration has taken its most consequential step yet toward undoing his predecessor's legacy on climate change. Scott Pruitt, the embattled chief of the Environmental Protection Agency, announced the reversal on Monday in a "final determination" that President Obama's plan for the 2022-2025 model years went too far and would be revised. Pruitt did not yet announce a replacement for the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which dictate fuel efficiency and therefore emissions. And even after he does—after more consultations and debate—it's likely to be challenged in court. So would another aspect of his plan: his threat to refuse a waiver to California, which is intent on setting its own tough standards. (April 2, 2018) Inside Climate News [more on Transportation, Air Quality, and Climate Change in our area]

Weakening the fuel efficiency standards will probably have profound effects on our environment, air quality, addressing Climate Change, and even the US car market—which will be trying to push old, polluting technology on a world moving in a more responsible direction.

It’s time to stand up again against the Trump administration’s attacks on science. We need more science education in our classrooms, more scientists, more allotment of public funds for science projects that will keep American competitive in world markets, and more scientific instruments (satellites) to monitor our environment so we can adapt and mitigate Climate Change.

March For Science. There are some marches coming in your community and a big one in Washington, DC to reach the public directly on the importance of science. We are demanding that the Trump administration reinvigorate science back into America’s core. 

#MARCHFORSCIENCE

  • ·         Saturday, April 14 at 12 PM - 5 PM | Martin Luther King Jr. Park at Manhattan Square, 353 Court St, Rochester, New York 14607


o   Rochester NY March for Science - Rally, March and Science Expo | Hosted by Rochester NY March For Science “Please join us for a Day of Science: The Rally will begin at 12:00 PM at Martin Luther King Jr. Park at Manhattan Square. There will be a variety of speakers and Playground Science activities for families. The March will be stepping off from the Rally at 1:00 PM and will lead to the Science Expo at Rochester Riverside Hotel, 120 East Main Street, Rochester, NY 14604. The Science Expo will run from 1:00 - 5:00 PM and feature a variety of interactive table presentations, speakers on a range of topics relating innovative science to everyday life, as well as a science and technical career fair. Plus family activities.”



o   On April 14, 2018 SCIENCE MARCHES ON In 2017, more than one million people around the world gathered together in the largest event for science advocacy in history.  In 2018, we unite again to hold our elected and appointed officials responsible for enacting equitable evidence-based policies that serve all communities and science for the common good. It’s time we held our political leaders accountable for supporting good science policy. It’s time we join together and demand that our leaders use science to inform their work and cast their votes for science. Learn More About Vote for Science ❯❯ From Washington D.C. to Abuja, Nigeria, science supporters across the globe are mobilizing.  Events range from science expos and festivals to rallies and large-scale marches but they are united with shared goals.  March for Science events energize science advocates from multiple spheres to create tangible change and call for greater accountability of public officials to enact evidence-based policy that serves all communities.    More than 70 satellite events around the world have already registered to participate in the 2nd annual event.  Don't see one in your area for 2018?  Plan a new march by registering here! Don't forget to check out the 2017 satellite list to find organizers from last year. Prefer to check by zip code? Click here.

Time passes


My essay before I marched in last year’s Washington, DC March for Science: “U.S. at crossroads: free science from politics and join the March for Science” (April 17, 2017)