Science in Policy Under the Trump Administration with the Center - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Science in Policy Under the Trump Administration with the Center for Science and Democracy

Avenues of Decision Making (federal)  Congress (House and Senate) Bills informed by science • Clean Air Act • Clean Water Act • Energy Independence and Security Act (Fuel economy)

Avenues of Decision Making (federal)  Agencies – advisory panels & peer review • Environmental Protection Agency • Dept of Interior – e.g. Advisory Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resource Science • Center for Disease Control (HHS) – Lead Exposure

Avenues of Decision Making (federal)  Rulemaking – comment periods • Sugar labeling • Clean Power Plan • Clean Water Rule

Inform

Decision Venue Bill in Congress Federal Agency Rulemaking Process

Decision Venue How Scientists Participate Bill in Congress Submit research brief/testimony Ask Senator/Rep to act Federal Agency Advisory Council Provide peer review/data Rulemaking Process Public hearing/comment period

Decision Venue How Scientists Participate Bill in Congress Submit research brief Ask Senator/Rep to act - Fuel Standards (Blunt bill) Federal Agency Advisory Council Provide data - Endangered Species Listing Petitions Rulemaking Process Public hearing/comment period - Clean Power Plan

Decoding the Flurry of Attacks on Science: Four Key Patterns

1. Suppressing Climate Science

2. Stacking Critical Positions with Industry Conflicts

3. Revoking Science-Based Safeguards California Red-Legged Frog – reduction of critical habitat by 90% due to economic assessment

4. Creating a Hostile Environment for Scientists

Top Threats in Political Landscape Now  Anti-science pushes in agencies • Anti-science leadership in Pruitt (EPA), Zinke (BLM) • Industry reps in science advisory committees (or shutting down cmte) • Harrassment of scientists/suppression of science • Industry-driven standard rollbacks (Blunt bill, CPP, Clean Water Rule)  Anti-science pushes in Congress • Damaging budget cuts • Endangered species riders in funding bills • Regulatory Accountability Act, etc.

Scientific Integrity refers to processes through which independent science fully and transparently informs policy decisions, free from inappropriate political, ideological, financial, or other undue influence. -Center for Science & Democracy

Scientific Integrity Compromised Under the George W. Bush Administration

Why scientists, why now?

Decision How to Influence Resource Venue Bill in Share information Congress.gov Congress Ask Senator/Rep to act Ucsusa.org Federal Advisory Council FederalRegister.gov Agency (search “Advisory”) Endangered Species ESA Toolkit Listing/Habitat Definition Rulemaking Public hearing/comment Regulations.gov Process period - Clean Power Plan

“Science drives innovation and powers our State and National economy. It also guides wise policy making - critical for the continued health of our natural resources and our Nation. Please oppose budget cuts to science that benefits Montana.”

“Montana scientists like me use NASA earth science data to understand everything from the retreat of glaciers to soil moisture for agriculture to the impacts of wildfires. NASA is a global leader in earth science, and I am appalled that the government would choose to downscale these efforts at a time of rapid global change.”

“Budget cuts to the EPA (along with implementation delays of various standards related to public health) are most concerning, considering the largest superfund site in the country is just upstream of my home. “

Talk About the Benefits Fuel efficiency standards will save buyers $6,000 (or 2% of earnings)

Tools: Watchdog for Science www.ucsusa.org/watchdogtoolkit Fact Sheets Hosting a Letter-Writing Party • Talking with Your Elected Officials at Public Events • Hosting a Public Education Event with Community Groups • Using Social Media • Organizing a Call-In Day • Writing a Sign-On Letter • Tools Endangered Species Act Toolkit • Make a Note to the Record • Sidelining Science report • Communicating with the Media • Scientist-Community Partnerships •

We Can Do This! X X

Joanna Nadeau Outreach Coordinator Center for Science and Democracy Union of Concerned Scientists jnadeau@ucsusa.org

CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND DEMOCRACY • Seeks to strengthen the role and integrity of science in public policy • We push back against misinformation • We work to neutralize attacks on the science process • We defend scientists when they are attacked for their work • Works to strengthen Democratic processes by better and fairer access to science • More scientists are engaged in public policy • Greater access to science for citizens