Science is at the core of a healthy democracy. But for years, presidential administrations have, in differing ways, sidelined scientific evidence and attacked scientific integrity.
Below is a running list of attacks on science. They include disappearing data, silenced scientists, suppressed studies, and other assaults on science-based policy. The list provides a representative sample of threats to the federal scientific enterprise—and a warning of what we face in the future. More information can be found in our peer-reviewed study and in our data repository.
Attacks on science
EPA Air Pollution Decision Threatens Public Health
Disregarding and misrepresenting recommendations from their own scientists, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized new air pollution emissions standards that do not sufficiently protect public health.
Hushing Up the Health Hazards of Climate Change
White House officials heavily censored the Congressional testimony of Julie Gerberding, Director of the Centers for Disease Control, describing the hazardous effects of climate change on public health.
Mining Agency Buries Streams and Science
The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) proposed to eliminate a key rule that protects Appalachian streams and communities from a coal-mining technique known as mountaintop removal mining.
Federal Agency Doesn't Give a Hoot about Owls
Fish and Wildlife Service officials and the other federal land agencies intervened in the recovery plan for the northern spotted owl, compromising the science-based protections in order to reduce barriers to logging in old-growth forests.
White House Sidelines Science in Regulating Ozone
The GW Bush White House overruled unanimous advice of its scientific advisors to weaken the EPA’s proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone—an air pollutant associated with respiratory ailments and premature death.
Agencies Pressured Not to Warn Mechanics about Asbestos
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) threatened an agency scientist with suspension after he refused to include industry-funded science downplaying the dangers of asbestos in a safety warning for auto mechanics.
Federal Agency Fails to Protect Children from Lead Lunches
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission twice altered their scientific testing procedure before concluding that children’s lunch boxes containing levels of lead that exceeded Federal recommendations were in fact safe.
Designated Spokesperson Required for Polar Bear Travels
A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service email directive instructs its Alaskan employees who request travel not to discuss polar bears, sea ice, or climate change unless they are explicitly authorized to do so.
Manipulation of Global Warming Science
The George W. Bush administration has sought to undermine the view that human-caused emissions are making a discernible contribution to global warming.
Industry Pressure Trumps Sound Science in Pesticide Regulation
Unions representing 9,000 EPA scientists and professional staff said the EPA has taken more care to cooperate with the agriculture industry than to ensure the health of children and vulnerable Americans in a letter to the EPA.
Related resources
Report
Improving Election Data Transparency
Recommendations for states on best practices for improving election data transparency.
Activist Resource
The Electric Utility Toolkit
A set of resources and ideas for making a more just and inclusive power grid.
Activist Resource
The Science and Climate Litigation Webinar Series
Trainings, discussions, and case studies focused on the intersection of law, climate change, and science.
Activist Resource
Scientist Community Partnerships
Scientist-community partnerships can help level the playing field for communities that are being shut out of important policy discussions, and UCS is taking an active role in fostering these collaborations.