“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue from some items linked here.”
More than 50,000 members of the scientific community have signed an open letter to Congress, urging lawmakers to defend scientific institutions from President-Elect Donald Trump’s agenda. The letter is a response to Project 2025, which proposes significant changes to various governmental scientific institutions. Signatories of the letter are calling for proactive measures from officials, particularly in the first 100 days of Trump’s upcoming term, to prevent the negative consequences of disregarding science on a national level.
The impact of climate change on our world has been increasingly evident. Devastating fires, such as those currently raging in Los Angeles, and destructive hurricanes like Hurricane Helene, which struck the American South last September, are on the rise. Recently, experts confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, surpassing the IPCC’s 1.5°C climate threshold.
Unfortunately, these scientific challenges are being met with a growing anti-science sentiment among the American public. The COVID-19 pandemic fueled anti-vaccination rhetoric, and questionable wellness trends and fad diets continue to gain popularity online despite lacking scientific support. A movement promoting the consumption of raw milk has gained traction amidst concerns about avian flu in cattle. Additionally, conspiracy theories, including beliefs in a flat Earth and fears about 5G technology, persist and aim to recruit followers despite lacking evidence.
In this environment of eroding trust in experts, the prospect of a second presidential term for Donald Trump, during which he pledges to overhaul many crucial scientific institutions, is concerning. A letter endorsed by over 50,000 scientists and science supporters urges Congress to protect the work of scientists and the scientific institutions essential for public safety.
This letter, presented by The Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit organization dedicated to science advocacy, calls on Congress to take specific measures to safeguard existing scientific agencies and their staff from the potential repercussions of Project 2025. The project proposes substantial reorganization and elimination of several governmental scientific institutions, threatening protections Americans rely on, such as clean air and water, safe food and medicine, and defense against extreme weather and climate change impacts.
The letter warns that the Trump administration’s current agenda could dismantle these critical safeguards, resulting in harm to the public and disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. These concerns are not unfounded but arise from the genuine fears of scientists.
The recommendations outlined in Project 2025 propose significant changes to various government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). These changes range from altering job roles within these agencies to increase presidential control, to breaking up agencies into smaller and less efficient units, to even eliminating some departments entirely. These transformations would begin with appointments by the president and confirmation by Congress.
The letter emphasizes the importance of taking action against the integration of anti-science views into the U.S. government, particularly during the initial 100 days of the new presidential administration. It introduces a “First 100 Days Pledge for Science,” urging officials to adhere to certain principles. These include opposing anti-science nominees who do not commit to upholding scientific integrity policies, resisting the removal of federal agencies or staff through budget cuts or reorganization that undermines scientific expertise, and defending laws that protect public health and the environment based on independent scientific research.
The scientific community, with its diverse opinions and ongoing debates, is united in expressing concern about the potential consequences of sidelining or disregarding science. The letter is signed by 50,000 experts who recognize the value of science in advancing society and safeguarding the well-being of individuals worldwide.
Despite claims by President-Elect Donald Trump and supporters of Project 2025 that science threatens traditional values, the signatories assert that science is not about control or elitism but a tool for understanding reality and enhancing human life. They highlight the positive impact of science in shaping a better world, emphasizing the need to handle scientific advancements responsibly to avoid harmful repercussions.
In light of these principles, the signatories of the letter remain hopeful about the future of science and its pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being of society.
The individuals who lead our nation will not overlook this important matter. They believe that by taking actions such as writing this open letter, they can safeguard the crucial scientific organizations that ensure our collective safety and support the dedicated scientists who provide the necessary information for this purpose.
“This is a pivotal moment,” the letter asserts, “to demonstrate to the current administration that members of Congress from both sides are united in advocating for the science that safeguards the constituents they serve. I appeal for your backing.”
