Ashley Siefert Nunes
WASHINGTON—On his first day in office, President Trump clearly signaled, with an onslaught of executive orders, his intent to dismantle decades worth of science-based public health and environmental protections for the American people while propping up polluting industries’ interests. He has already begun directing federal agencies to undermine established science, undo crucial efforts to combat the worst effects of climate change and address environmental injustices, and withdraw from international agreements. This deeply anti-science and destructive agenda is expected to expand further and be released rapidly in the days and months ahead. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is committed to defending the use of independent, lifesaving science in informing policymaking.
Statement by Dr. Rachel Cleetus, director of policy for the Climate and Energy Program at UCS:
“President Trump demonstrated today that he once again intends to put fossil fuel company fortunes above the health and well-being of people across the nation. The world has just endured yet another hottest year on record, with countless communities reeling from a spate of deadly and costly climate-driven disasters. Rather than put forward real solutions, the Trump administration seems hell-bent on worsening the toll by greatly expanding fossil fuels while stymying progress on clean energy and climate resilience.
“His roster of anti-science, pro-fossil fuel cabinet nominees further underscores that federal agencies will be doubling down on dangerous choices instead of addressing real, pressing threats to public well-being. Disinformation and lies about climate science don’t change the facts: heat-trapping emissions from burning fossil fuels are driving worsening climate impacts. Without urgent action, the U.S. economy and people, especially those in communities already overburdened by fossil fuel pollution, will face growing costs and suffering.”
Statement by Dr. Jennifer Jones, director of the Center for Science and Democracy at UCS:
“These executive orders ignore decades of established scientific evidence, disregard the consensus of scientists across disciplines, and prioritize short-term political gains and giveaways to favored industries over the well-being of current and future generations, proving this is a government of billionaires for billionaires. With the stroke of a pen, the president is attempting to reverse actions to help address the health and environmental impacts of longstanding and disproportionate pollution and harm in Black, Brown, and low-income communities, which will only serve to perpetuate ongoing discrimination. Ignoring the best available science will increase the risk of even more devastating climate disasters, disproportionate pollution harms for frontline and fenceline communities, the rapid spread of epidemics, and unsafe food and water.
“In the first Trump administration, UCS documented more than 200 attacks on science with serious consequences, including using faulty science to justify restrictions on birth control; dangerous pollutants associated with lung damage, birth defects and death; and shutting down studies examining how common chemicals harm children.
“UCS will continue tracking and calling out attacks while advocating for policies that protect science and scientists from censorship and manipulation. We call on policymakers to join us by supporting policies that are guided by fact and in service of the public good.”
Additional UCS Resources:
- UCS statement on Pres. Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
- UCS blogpost “The Trump Administration Playbook Likely to Target Science and Scientists—We’re Ready to Fight Back.”
- UCS blog series on topics related to the second Trump administration.
- The more than 200 attacks on science documented by UCS in the first Trump administration.
- UCS blogpost “What Does ‘Best Available Science’ Mean?”
- Letter and petition signed by more than 50,000 scientists and science supporters, as well as 28 organizations, imploring the U.S. Congress to defend science and transparency.
- Information about the UCS “Save Science, Save Lives” campaign.