rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/petition/put-the-science-back-in-science?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-petition-area-put-the-science-back-in-science' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> March for Science https://actionnetwork.org/groups/march-for-science https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/petitions/photos/000/076/474/normal/20170422_MarchForScience_KishaBari_ThePeople_0005.jpg Over the past year, we’ve watched a steady stream of anti-science policies passed in the U.S. both on a federal and state level. Actions ranging from withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement to pulling funding from comprehensive sexual health education programs to barring researchers from publicly communicating their science have become stunningly routine, even expected.   At the same time, the current presidential administration and Congress have consistently placed individuals with little to no science background - and, still worse, people who actively reject the scientific consensus on important scientific issues like climate change - in critical science leadership and advisory roles.  A year into this administration, not only do many critical roles remain unfilled, but others that have been filled are largely held by unqualified individuals who have failed to demonstrate a reasonable grasp of science issues, the strength of scientific consensus, and the function of the scientific method. In 2018, we join together as science advocates to ask that President Trump prioritize appointing individuals with the appropriate level of science training and experience to critical science roles in our government. As part of this process, we demand that Congress thoroughly examine the scientific background and qualifications of each candidate proposed for science leadership. During the course of confirmation and vetting, our elected officials must evaluate each nominee’s understanding of, and commitment to, the scientific method and scientific consensus. When confirmation votes arrive, we urge our Congressional leaders to cast their votes for science. Further, we ask that the directors of all science agencies - current and future -  commit to ensuring that their staff and advisory boards are knowledgeable and equipped to make the science decisions that dictate our present and future. References: Federal science leadership tracker The art of science advice to government Trump Science Job Nominees Missing Advanced Degrees Trump taps climate skeptic for top White House environmental post Sidelining Science Since Day One Sessions orders Justice Department to end forensic science commission Scott Pruitt just stripped the EPA’s Science Boards in favor of ‘industry’ counsel https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/put-the-science-back-in-science