This archive report was first published on 28 December 2019.
On December 28, 2019, the Trump administration's impact on scientific research became increasingly evident. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has been researching topics like air pollution and chemical testing, has seen a significant loss of scientists and technical staff members since Mr. Trump took office. While 250 scientists and technical staff members have left the agency, 124 new hires have been made, bringing the total number of employees to around 1,500.
Dr. Richard Kavlock, a senior scientist at the EPA, stated that those who have remained in the agency continue to do their work but are not actively promoting findings on sensitive topics like climate change. This reluctance to speak out is evident in the agency's approach to climate change research, with Dr. Kavlock noting that they are 'trying not to ruffle any feathers.'
However, not all scientists are willing to remain silent. Dr. Patrick Gonzalez, the National Park Service's principle climate change scientist, has been actively speaking out on the risks of global warming. In February 2019, he testified before Congress about the dangers of climate change, stating that he was speaking in his capacity as an associate adjunct professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Gonzalez's actions did not go unnoticed, and in March 2019, his supervisor at the National Park Service sent him a cease-and-desist letter, warning him that his affiliation with the University of California, Berkeley, was not separate from his government work and that his actions were violating agency policy. Dr. Gonzalez viewed the letter as an attempt to deter him from speaking out on climate change.
Despite the warning, Dr. Gonzalez continues to speak out on climate change, using his vacation time to work with the United Nations climate change panel. He has also spoken again to Congress in June 2019, stating that he would like to provide a positive example for other scientists. Dr. Gonzalez noted that not everyone may be in a position to be similarly outspoken, asking 'How many others are not speaking up?'
