Science and Democracy

The partnership between science and democracy has played a huge role in U.S. history. But misinformation and attacks on science have strained that partnership. UCS science and democracy experts keep you informed on the latest developments, from Capitol Hill to local communities.


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Latest Science and Democracy Posts

A USDA scientist inspecting wheat
Anson Eaglin/USDA

The Scientific Integrity Act’s Reintroduction

, Research scientist

February 4, 2021 11:40 AM EDT

Last week, the Biden administration released a presidential memorandum to begin the process of strengthening scientific integrity and evidence-based decisionmaking. This week, Congress will get its chance to play a role in bringing science back to the decisionmaking table, as Representative Paul Tonko (NY-20) reintroduces the Scientific Integrity Act. Together, the memorandum and legislation could establish the strongest protections for federal scientists and their work we have ever seen in modern history. These protections would help to ensure that science, not political ideology or industry interests, informs our nation’s policies and protects people’s safety and health. Read more >

Anson Eaglin/USDA
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US Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Susan Wynn releases quino into San Diego County
FWS biologist Susan Wynn releases an endangered butterfly in San Diego County in 2016. Joanna Gilkeson/USFWS

Federal Agencies Have Lost Hundreds of Scientists Since 2017. What Comes Next?

January 30, 2021 11:41 AM EDT

First, the bad news: An analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists reveals that federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have lost hundreds of scientists since 2017. The good news: With the Biden administration already acting on its pledge to lead with science, a new day has dawned, and it’s time to get to work. Read more >

Joanna Gilkeson/USFWS
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US EPA

Hundreds of Scientists Lost at the EPA During Past Four Years

, Research scientist

January 30, 2021 11:40 AM EDT

Today, we released an analysis that investigated the loss or gain of scientific experts across multiple science-based federal agencies during the past four years. One thing was clear from the analysis—the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took a hard hit, losing 672 scientific experts between 2016 and 2020. Read more >

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Scientific Integrity, Climate Action and Environmental Justice, Oh My! Science Activists Be Proud!

, director, Center for Science & Democracy

January 29, 2021 2:47 PM EDT

Wednesday, January 27, 2021 was an extraordinary day for the role of science in our government and for science advocacy advocates across the country. President Biden issued Executive Orders and Presidential Memoranda that will change the course of government from inaction to action. From sidelining science to centering science in policymaking. From trumpeting racism to using the power of government to fight racial injustice. From pretending that the evidence of human-caused climate change is inconclusive to laying out actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and put us on a path to a sustainable future. Read more >

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Sign outside a retail location for COVID-19 vaccination
Baltimore County Government

I Got a COVID-19 Vaccine Early. That Shouldn’t Have Happened.

, Economist

January 28, 2021 5:46 PM EDT

My husband and I, both relatively healthy adults in our late 30s who work from home, got our first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine earlier this month. We never in our wildest dreams imagined being vaccinated so quickly. We just happened to bump into neighbors, who in the most casual way reported that our local Safeway was administering doses that would have to be thrown away if warm bodies didn’t show up before closing time. We later learned this was happening all over Washington, DC and even in other parts of the US. Read more >

Baltimore County Government
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