"Defunding, vilifying and firing": Science under siege
DOZENS of current and former employees of the National Geographic Society and National Geographic Partners have penned an open letter, urgently calling for the NGS to take a stand against the assault on institutions and vital scientific research in the United States.
"The current administration is dismantling US science-based agencies, defunding them, vilifying and firing their workers by the thousands, and clawing back billions in congressionally approved funds for vital research programs."
"National Geographic has said nothing publicly in defence of federally supported scientific endeavours," the letter reads. "Such defence is crucial, because the ongoing assaults on science undermine the nation – and tear at the roots of National Geographic's mission-driven work." As of the time of writing, the NGS had not yet issued a response.
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This comes amid an ongoing row within the UK’s Royal Society, which last month raised the alarm about cuts to research funding and the dangers of misinformation. The body continues to face calls to expel Elon Musk, who was granted membership in 2018.
"Ideological agendas are being used to suppress research, threaten academic freedom and to cut funding," the RS warned. "Scientific evidence and those who advocate for it are under attack by those who wish to undermine rational debate."
Full text of the NGS letter below:
OPEN LETTER TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY:
"Let us raise science aloft as the olive branch of peace and the emblem of hope."
– JOHN WESLEY POWELL, 1882,
founding member of the National Geographic Society
THE current administration is dismantling U.S. science-based agencies, defunding them, vilifying and firing their workers by the thousands, and clawing back billions in congressionally approved funds for vital research programs.
We former and current employees and contractors of the National Geographic Society and National Geographic Partners, who have signed this letter and collectively represent nearly 3,600 years of experience, urge you now-without delay-to do everything in your power to push back against these unprecedented attacks. We urge you to affirm, with force and conviction, and in a sustained way, the primary importance of the work of these agencies.
For decades, National Geographic has been privileged to draw on the research and discoveries of organizations such as NOAA, NSF, NASA, NPS, EPA, NIH, USGS, USAID, and CDC. Many National Geographic Society grantees are themselves either funded by these groups or doing groundbreaking science under their aegis. Federally supported science is at the heart of National Geographic's mission-its lifeblood. It is also imperative for the success of our country's economy and is the foundation of our progress and well-being.
For its part, National Geographic has played a leading role in bringing to the world knowledge hard-won by U.S. scientists. That knowledge bestows prestige upon our nation. It is Powell's "emblem of hope."
It makes the United States – and the world – safer, stronger, more prosperous. As of this writing, National Geographic has said nothing publicly in defense of federally supported scientific endeavors. Such defense is crucial, because the ongoing assaults on science undermine the nation-and tear at the roots of National Geographic's mission-driven work. Faced with this degradation, how many of our best and brightest young people will turn away from the cause of science and exploration? National Geographic has a uniquely powerful and respected voice. We implore you to raise it for the benefit of all by: Mounting a public campaign to celebrate science and the crucial work of the federal agencies.
Marshaling all media resources at your disposal to bring to public attention the stories of the scientists affected by these cuts and the essential work that is being lost.
Respectfully,
