Reminder: Science does not happen in a vacuum
by Chris Yarosh
It is very easy
to become wrapped up in day-to-day scientific life. There is always another
experiment to do, or a paper to read, or a grant to submit. This result leads
to that hypothesis, and that hypothesis needs to be tested, revised, re-tested,
etc. Scientists literally study the inner workings of life, matter and the
universe itself, yet science often seems set apart from other worldly concerns.
But it’s not.
The terrorist
attacks in Paris and Beirut and the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis have drawn the
world’s attention, and rightfully so. These are genuine catastrophes, and it is
difficult to imagine the suffering of those who must face the aftermath of
these bouts of shocking violence.
At the same
time, 80 world leaders are preparing to gather in freshly scarred Paris for
another round of global climate talks. In a perfect world, these talks would
focus only on the sound science and overwhelming consensus supporting action on
climate change, and they would lead to an agreement that sets us on a path
toward healing our shared home.
But this is not
a perfect world.
In addition to
the ongoing political struggle and general inertia surrounding climate change,
we now must throw the fallout from the Paris attacks into the mix. Because of this, the event schedule will be limited to core discussions, which will deprive some people of their chance to demonstrate and make their voices heard on a large stage. This is a shame, but at least the meeting will go on. If the
situation is as dire as many scientists and policy experts say it is, this
meeting may be our last chance to align the world’s priorities and roll back
the damage being caused to our planet. It was never going to be easy, and the
fearful specter of terrorism—and the attention and resources devoted to the
fight against it— does nothing to improve the situation.
This is a
direct example of world events driving science and science policy, but possible
indirect effects abound as well. It is not outside the realm of possibility
that political disagreement over refugee relocation may lead to budget fights
or government shutdown, both of which could seriously derail research in the
U.S. With Election 2016 rapidly approaching, it is also possible that events
abroad can drive voter preferences at home, with unforeseen impacts on how
research is funded, conducted, and disseminated.
What does this
mean for science and science policy?
For one, events
like this remind us once again that scientists must stay informed and be ready
to adapt as sentiments and attention shift in real time. Climate change and terrorism
may not have seemed linked until now (though there is good reason to think that
this connection runs deep), but the dramatic juxtaposition of both in Paris
changes that. Scientists can offer our voices to the discussion, but it is
vital that we keep abreast of the shifting political landscapes that influence
the conduct and application of science. Keeping this birds-eye view is
critical, because while these terrorist attacks certainly demand attention and
action, they do nothing to change the urgent need for action on the climate, on
health, and on a whole host of issues that require scientific expertise.
While staying
current and engaging in policymaking is always a good thing for science (feel
free to contact your representatives at any time), situations like the Syrian
refugee crisis offer a more unique chance to lend a hand. Science is one of
humanity’s greatest shared endeavors, an approach to understanding the world
that capitalizes on the innate curiosity that all people share. This shared
interest has always extended to displaced peoples, with the resulting
collaborations providing a silver lining to the negative events that
precipitated their migrations. Where feasible, it would be wise for
universities across the globe to welcome Syrians with scientific backgrounds;
doing so would provide continuity and support for the displaced while
preventing a loss of human capital. Efforts to this effect are currently
underway in Europe, though it is unclear how long these programs can survive the
tension surrounding that continent.
For good and
ill, world events have always shaped science. The tragedies in France, Syria,
and elsewhere have incurred great human costs, and they will serve as a test of
our shared humanity. As practitioners of one of our great shared enterprises, scientists
have a uniquely privileged place in society, and we should use our station to
help people everywhere in any way possible.
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