By the end of this week, federal agencies will have submitted their plans to the White House outlining the implementation of the Administration’s executive order on “Gold standard science.” The order and accompaniment. guide memorandum have been met with legitimate outrage and grave concern throughout our Earth and space sciences community.
I am encouraged to see colleagues from across the scientific sector speaking out. Be sure to read the important perspective from the editors-in-chief of AGU journals in the latest issue of Advances.
Our editors-in-chief draw attention to several points in the executive order that we should all consider:
- That this is a new attempt by the administration to undermine public trust in science by launching baseless attacks on the American scientific enterprise.
- That this order suppresses critical scientific facts because those facts inconveniently hinder the administration’s political agenda.
- Let the political officials appointed with the mandate to promote that political agenda now be the gatekeepers of federal scientific research that can be published.
Don’t be fooled, this “gold standard” has to do with politics, not science. It co-opts the language and practices we have all respected, twisting them to support an agenda that will undermine advances in a range of critical areas, from climate science and new clean energy sources to natural disaster preparedness and air and water quality.
Adding insult to injury, the executive order comes on top of reckless and indiscriminate cuts to the federal scientific workforce and the cancellation of critical research funding.
AGU position statement on Responsibilities and rights of scientists details an established community standard that has always advocated protecting research integrity and promoting open collaboration.
And while the prevalence of paper mills is increasing, that doesn’t mean our community isn’t responding. back. Science-backed journals like AGU’s have rigorous peer review and constantly evolving mechanisms to stay up-to-date and detect scientific misconduct.
AGU will continue to strongly defend science, fighting for federal workers through the legislature and the courts, advocating for funding, and establishing novel ways for scientists to collaborate and share their research when government support disappears.
We call on all members and associated societies to uphold true gold standard science. Wear our tool kit to write your own opinion article. Join AGUDays of actionand tell Congress to reject policies that threaten scientific integrity and independent, evidence-based research.
Schedule virtual or in-person meetings with your representatives during the current congressional recess.
A gold standard? It already exists. The global scientific community that you have built together here at AGU has always achieved the highest standards. We know this is the only way to ensure our science takes root and grows. Our commitment to those high standards helps ensure a global business that grows and prospers.
#gold #shines
