Federal agencies move to protect climate science from political interference
Federal agencies are implementing measures to safeguard scientific research from potential political meddling.
Maxine Joselow and Scott Dance report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new contract includes provisions allowing employees to report political meddling without fear of retribution.
- Policies to protect scientific integrity are being strengthened at NOAA and the Commerce Department.
- Advocates argue these measures are necessary but not foolproof against future political changes.
Key quote:
“It will be impossible to fully Trump-proof any agency or protect any scientist if Trump wins a new term and either the House or Senate is in Republican control. Then there will be absolutely no meaningful oversight.”
— Tim Whitehouse, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
Why this matters:
The integrity of scientific research, especially on climate change, is vital for informed policy-making and public trust. Safeguarding these processes from political interference ensures that decisions are based on accurate and unbiased information.
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