"I'll leave that up the scientist" and the Problem of Ignorant Policy-Makers

         One of the most frustrating things about science policy is the lousy relationship policymakers seem to have with science. In an ideal world, each of our elected leaders, especially members of Congress would have basic scientific literacy and would be evaluate scientific evidence when it is relevant to their decisions on legislation. That is obviously an ambitious target, and a realistic goal would probably be that lawmakers are willing to trust scientific consensus where it exists and act accordingly.

           Of course we don't even have that. Many legislators have a pretty lousy understanding of science, so bad that they think they can substitute their own "understanding" for the real work of real scientists. This problem permeates all aspects of science policy, but it is particularly prominent in climate change. So I was struck, but not surprised by this local story out of Charleston, WV, about a recent Congressional debate between Democrat Nick Casey and Republican Alex Mooney. When discussion turned to climate change and energy policy, motivated reasoning ruled the day and both candidates deployed the expected talking points about supporting the coal industry and fighting EPA regulations.

          One line struck me, in particular, though. Casey, the Democrat, when asked about the reality of climate change, persumptively in an attempt to sidestep, answered: "Something is going on. Is it longterm or not? I’ll leave that up to the scientists." This is the problem with science in policy in a nut shell. He claims he'll leave the science to the scientists, but this is undercut by everything else both Casey and Mooney said. The problem is that science is not an agree-to-disagree field, at least not at the level policy-makers are engaging with it. Contrary to the assertion that he will "leave that up to the scientists," Casey might believe he is respecting science, but he clearly isn't, he is interfering with scientific consensus by continuing to support the coal industry.

         "Leaving science to the scientists" isn't much more than meme and not even  one that is taken seriously. Sure there are plenty in Congress who adhere to science most of the time, but there are many more, it seems, who prefer to use scientists as ivory tower punching bags trying to interfere with the lives of ordinary, honest people. This attitude is toxic to good science policy. Until a majority of politicians are willing to actually leave science to the scientists, all science policy will be fraught with peril.