Contents

1. Summary
2. Global Warming Scientists Muzzled
3. Air Pollution Rules Misrepresent Science
4. Preserving Science in the Endangered Species Act
5. Scientists Speak Out
6. Senators Call for Investigations

Summary

In just a few short months, 2006 has already seen dramatic new cases of the manipulation, censorship, and distortion of science. Government global warming scientists have been muzzled, the Environmental Protection Agency misrepresented scientist recommendations on air pollution standards, and Congress may severely weaken science in the Endangered Species Act. But ongoing pressure from UCS and our activists has brought widespread attention to political interference in science and prompted both Republicans and Democrats to call for investigations into the problem.

Global Warming Scientists Muzzled

At the end of January, The New York Times reported that a climate expert at NASA, Dr. James Hansen, had been prevented from discussing the implications of his research on global warming. In response to the story, scientists who have signed the Scientist Statement on Scientific Integrity wrote letters to their local newspapers that were published in newspapers throughout the country. Because of our leadership on this issue, UCS was asked by numerous media outlets to comment on the abuse of science. UCS appeared everywhere from Time Magazine to CNN to National Public Radio.

Responding to these widely-publicized allegations, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin affirmed the agency's commitment to openness and released a new media policy on March 6. Although not perfect, this policy is a positive step; in the coming months, UCS will monitor its implementation and effectiveness.

Unfortunately, in mid-March the Washington Post reported that climate science is also being suppressed at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, prompting Representative Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) to send a letter to NOAA administrator Conrad Lautenbacher urging him to improve "open and unfettered scientific communication" at the agency.

Air Pollution Rules Misrepresent Science

Disregarding and misrepresenting recommendations from their own scientists, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed new air pollution standards that do not sufficiently protect public health. The new rules apply to particulate matter pollution, sources of which include agricultural activity, vehicle exhaust, and emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee members claimed that the new rules "twisted" and "misrepresented" their recommendations and the best available science. Over 2,000 recent studies have linked particulate matter exposure to heart disease, respiratory ailments, and premature death.

Scientists and the media continue to speak out strongly against the new air pollution standards. UCS activists submitted almost 20,000 comments to the EPA urging the agency to listen to their scientists and establish standards that will adequately protect our health and the health of our children.

Preserving Science in the Endangered Species Act

Last September, the House of Representatives passed legislation that undermines the scientific principles of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and severely weakens species protection. As the Senate deliberated whether or not to introduce its own version of the bill, UCS saw the need to inform senators about the importance of the best available science to the ESA. Together with some of the country’s leading biologists, UCS organized a Letter from Biologists to the U.S. Senate Concerning Science in the Endangered Species Act that was signed by a large portion of the biological science community. More than 5,700 scientists with biological expertise signed the letter—with at least 25 coming from each state.

On March 8, copies of the letter and the full list of signatures were hand delivered to every Senate office. More than a dozen distinguished biologists from across the country visited with senators and staff to explain and reinforce the importance of science to species conservation. Following the letter’s release, more than 50 newspapers reported on the biologists' efforts.

UCS activists have also made their voices heard and continue to take action on this issue. So far, over 18,500 people have written letters to their senators about the Endangered Species Act. As of the end of April, the Senate had yet to introduce ESA legislation, raising our hopes that the best available science will continue to be part of the ESA.

Scientists Speak Out

In an effort to create a forum for the scientific community to discuss how to defend science from politics, UCS facilitated major events at multiple scientific society meetings. At a meeting of the American Public Health Association at the end of 2005, hundreds of public health scientists packed a room to hear several scientists discuss scientific integrity. The panel included former Food and Drug Administration official Susan Wood, a senior scientist who resigned last year in protest over the agency's politicization of emergency contraception.

And on February 18, two years to the day after the release of the scientist statement on scientific integrity and our original scientific integrity report, more than 300 scientists came together at the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to hear spirited remarks from a number of senior scientists, including Nobel laureate and CalTech President David Baltimore and former NSF Director Rita Colwell. The New York Times covered the event and Nature magazine editorialized about the issue, calling the discussion "the highlight of the meeting of the [AAAS]." 

Senators Call for Investigations

In response to continued reports of censorship of scientists at NASA and NOAA, members of the Senate have requested research into federal agency suppression of science and its impact. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has asked the National Science Board to examine policies of federal science agencies regarding the suppression and distortion of scientific research. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) review policies of federal agencies to "ensure openness in scientific communication."