It’s Never Been Harder To Be A Climate Scientist

Climate scientists are fairly used to receiving hate mail. As the issue of climate change became more and more controversial and increasingly partisan, researchers studying climate change became targets of all kinds of on- and off-line vitriol. They have often received not only hate mail and threats, but were also the targets of litigation from conservative think tanks. But this harassment has risen to new heights recently. Scientists braced themselves for a new "onslaught of intimidation" as Donald Trump, a known climate denier, was elected president late last year. 

Scientists have always had to respond to varying political environments as administrations changed over the years. But, it seems, this time things are different. Many say that they are facing pressure they have never faced before in their careers, and the kind of scare tactics are shifting. "Indeed, most scientists say what’s really increased is a quieter form of intimidation: preventing government climate scientists from doing their jobs. The Union of Concerned Scientists’ report accused the Trump administration of 'creating a hostile environment for federal agency scientists who serve the public,' citing the anti-climate rhetoric of agency administrators like Scott Pruitt and Rick Perry, proposed decimation of funding, and general interference in scientists’ work." Government scientists are most affected, as they are "gagged, sidelined, or fired, and funding cuts loom." Many are at a loss, and are seeking legal counsel. 

It is a difficult time to be a climate scientist. And it is particularly troubling when scientists are actively discouraged from working on one of the most pressing issues of our time. The stakes are high, and we cannot afford for these scientists to be silenced.