Why I chose to March for Science
I chose to March for Science on world earth day because it has become increasingly clear that a multitude of voices is needed to articulate in favour of evidence based public policy. Not only in the area of science, but all forms of public policy from health, welfare, energy, economics and indigenous affairs.
Of course, my main area of interest is science. It is a subject that has excited and motivated me from the time of my earliest memories. It is a beautiful area of endeavour, with the sole purpose of applying an intellectually rigorous methodology, to seeking information about questions that perplex and intrigue. It is also an incredibly useful system for trying to nut out some of the seemingly intractable questions that face mankind. Questions related to preventing and curing disease, producing more and better quality food and using and conserving energy and for transport and exploration.
In that light it is with a sense of increasing sadness that I have observed over time that the input of very gifted and well motivated experts in various fields have become increasingly sidelined in public debate. And I have an increasing sense that someone should do something about it. As the saying goes, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. So with that in mind, I add my own voice to the chorus of those who seek rational public debate and evidence based outcomes.
So to the March for Science in Sydney's Martin Place I went on Saturday the 22 of April. There I joined about 3000 other advocates for science funding and good public policy. In an address to the assembled by former leader of the Liberal Party, John Hewson, he spoke of the expedience and short term focus of politicians with respect to public policy. Preferring to concentrate their energy on short term political ends, rather than take on longer term objectives driven by evidence.
Many of the reports of the March for Science from around the world focussed on funding and the need to send politicians like US President, Donald Trump, a message about the importance of science and science funding. I am not sure that I see the point in setting such objectives, as it is clear that certain members of the political class do not see value in, or directly oppose efforts to enact policy based on good science, particularly where it does not meet the needs of the lobbyists who would subvert public policy to their own agenda. I think that the purpose of initiatives such as March for Science should be to mobilise those who see the importance of good public policy, and who support it, but who are as yet not motivated to take action to bring about political change.
This may seem a forlorn and somewhat naïve hope. However, I think that there are many people who see the need for things which the politicians are ignoring, such as action on climate change. Even though members of the two main political parties in Australia have been slow to act on climate initiatives, or have acted negatively, such as when the Abbot Government removed the Gillard Government initiated Carbon Tax, many individuals in Australia have moved to reduce their own green house emissions by installing solar panels. A clear sign that the citizenry, if not the government, see the need to act on the great challenge of anthropomorphic climate change.
So I would ask you to raise your voices and let it be heard that the benefits of science to man kind in the long run, are far more important than short term considerations. Perhaps together we can set the public debate in a new, more positive and more visionary direction.
Of course, my main area of interest is science. It is a subject that has excited and motivated me from the time of my earliest memories. It is a beautiful area of endeavour, with the sole purpose of applying an intellectually rigorous methodology, to seeking information about questions that perplex and intrigue. It is also an incredibly useful system for trying to nut out some of the seemingly intractable questions that face mankind. Questions related to preventing and curing disease, producing more and better quality food and using and conserving energy and for transport and exploration.
In that light it is with a sense of increasing sadness that I have observed over time that the input of very gifted and well motivated experts in various fields have become increasingly sidelined in public debate. And I have an increasing sense that someone should do something about it. As the saying goes, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. So with that in mind, I add my own voice to the chorus of those who seek rational public debate and evidence based outcomes.
So to the March for Science in Sydney's Martin Place I went on Saturday the 22 of April. There I joined about 3000 other advocates for science funding and good public policy. In an address to the assembled by former leader of the Liberal Party, John Hewson, he spoke of the expedience and short term focus of politicians with respect to public policy. Preferring to concentrate their energy on short term political ends, rather than take on longer term objectives driven by evidence.
Many of the reports of the March for Science from around the world focussed on funding and the need to send politicians like US President, Donald Trump, a message about the importance of science and science funding. I am not sure that I see the point in setting such objectives, as it is clear that certain members of the political class do not see value in, or directly oppose efforts to enact policy based on good science, particularly where it does not meet the needs of the lobbyists who would subvert public policy to their own agenda. I think that the purpose of initiatives such as March for Science should be to mobilise those who see the importance of good public policy, and who support it, but who are as yet not motivated to take action to bring about political change.
This may seem a forlorn and somewhat naïve hope. However, I think that there are many people who see the need for things which the politicians are ignoring, such as action on climate change. Even though members of the two main political parties in Australia have been slow to act on climate initiatives, or have acted negatively, such as when the Abbot Government removed the Gillard Government initiated Carbon Tax, many individuals in Australia have moved to reduce their own green house emissions by installing solar panels. A clear sign that the citizenry, if not the government, see the need to act on the great challenge of anthropomorphic climate change.
So I would ask you to raise your voices and let it be heard that the benefits of science to man kind in the long run, are far more important than short term considerations. Perhaps together we can set the public debate in a new, more positive and more visionary direction.
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