Science, the Obama Administration and a new era of reason
Ahhh, Science!
Hardworking, honest and, until recently, greatly under-valued and disregarded government scientists have been greatly cheered, even moved, by President Obama’s inaugural pledge to “restore science to its rightful place.”
The government scientists are not alone.
We scientists, whether academics, public servants, or those doing their research in the nonprofit sector, spend our careers in pursuit of the “Aha!” moments when the data reveal new insights or contradict conventional wisdom to light a new path forward. How welcome, after eight years during which science and scientists were ignored on issues ranging from climate change to endangered species, to now have an “Ahhh” moment and the hope that science will now receive a proper hearing.
There are already some good signs. In his confirmation hearing, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar stated “There’s no substitute for good science to guide the kinds of issues that [come before] the Fish & Wildlife Service. So we’ll make sure that that’s what guides us as we move forward with decision-making. And I assure you that the people we will bring in to oversee those efforts will be people who will make the calls based on the ‘balls and strikes’ of science, not the balls and strikes of politics.”
Less than a week later, and on his first full day in office, President Obama gave the scientists a chance to pitch by staying a last-minute move by the Bush Administration to remove protections from grey wolves in the Rockies. Obama’s order doesn’t guarantee any particular outcome, but as he and Secretary Salazar promised – and as is proper in any scientific endeavor – it provides time for a full consideration of the facts.
“Ahhh!”
Another issue under Secretary Salazar’s purview and where the science has been disregarded for too long has to do with snowmobiles and their damaging impact on Yellowstone National Park. Way back in 2000, and after more than a decade of scientific investigation, The National Park Service decided to phase out snowmobile use in Yellowstone. In its independent review, the Environmental Protection Agency commented that it had “seldom seen a more thorough and substantial body of science justifying a NEPA decision.”
But since 2001, the Bush administration attempted to replace and/or circumvent the scientific evidence of snowmobiling’s impact on impact on Yellowstone’s air quality, quiet, wildlife and other park resources and values. Additional studies conducted during the past eight years have only verified that public access can be provided with significantly less harm to Yellowstone’s resources and values with snowcoaches rather than snowmobiles.
Last fall, D.C. District Judge Sullivan vacated the Bush administration’s plan to allow 540 snowmobiles per day in Yellowstone, ruling that the plan was “arbitrary and capricious, unsupported by the record, and contrary to law...”
The facts are there in the record: eliminating snowmobiles would improve Park visitors’ experience, reduce harassment of wildlife and improve air quality for Park Service employees, visitors and wildlife alike. And, as President Obama pledged upon introducing his science team, his administration “will make decisions based on the facts, and we understand that the facts demand bold action."
In this case, the bold action would be to finally do what the Park Service recommended years ago – phase the snowmobiles out of Yellowstone. That would indeed bring a breath of fresh air.
All I can say to that is “Ahhh!”
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About Spencer R. Phillips, Ph.D.
Spencer Phillips is a natural resource economist who has been with The Wilderness Society's scientific team since 1992. His economic work has focused on helping people, communities and institutions realize the benefits of wildland conservation.... More about Spencer R. Phillips, Ph.D.
Legacy Comments
Bush Does Not Deserve Respect
EX-president George W. Bush was the absolute WORST president in recent memory and I've been around for awhile. He tried screwing up the environment, gave preferential treatment to his buddies with money and generally, turned his back on the regular folks out there who voted him in for a second term. BIG MISTAKE! He does not deserve respect, in my opinion, nor do I recognize him as the true president. He stole the election from Al Gore and for that I will never ever forgive him nor forget it.
Bush deserves more respect.
Hey, do not forget that Bush protected more land than any president in our nations history.
I do no like everything Bush did, but I sincerely think he and any president deserve more respect.
Just because the media does not like him does not make him bad. Let's face it, the media shows
an exteme liberal bias. Bush did not always do the popular thing, but rather did what Generals and
other advisors recommended. It is easy to sit back and be an armchair quarterback,
but try and walk in his shoes for a day. It would be nice if the people in this country could show a little class.
I was disgusted at the boos he got on Obama's inauguration day.
I admire his family values and his willingness to take on unpopular positions. He had a great life before he
ran for president. He didn't need the vicious press or hollywood ranting that he got. He didn't complain.
He was a true gentleman. I hope people show Obama a little more decency.
Bush does not deserve respect except that given to a criminal.
George W. Bush does not deserve respect except that given for a criminal. He was the worst President this country has ever had and I hope and pray we never have another Administration as terrible as the Bush Administration. First he should have never been president. Al Gore was cheated in 2000. The 2004 results in Ohio were questionable and John Kerry gave in much too soon. The Bush Administration lied at every juncture, always placed their extreme right wing dogma above truth and science, began an unprovoked war with a Iraq-- a country that had nothing to do with the catastrophe of 911, had nothing to do with the Taliban, had nothing to do with Osama bin Laden and also had nothing to do with Al Qaeda. Because of the treacherous acts of the Bush Administration, thousands of Americans have lost their lives along with thousands of innocent Iraqis! Saddham Hussein was a jerk but he had nothing to do with nor did he even like the aforementioned terrorist organizations. As we know now from released documentation using the Freedom of Information Act, every single intelligent report, that is all 13 intelligent agencies reported to the Bush Administration that Saddham Hussein did not have WMDs and would not attack the United States unless he believed the United States was about to attack him. The Bush Administration which is more accurately called the Cheney/Rove Administration lied to the American people, Congress and the world to began a war in which thay had absolutely no exist strategy. The bottom line is the Bush Administration committed murder. Read the book, "The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder" by one of if not the best attorney this country has ever had, Vincent Bugliosi.
Besides all of the above, Bush was terrible on environmental issues. He always supported polluters when they objected to sound environmental laws or policy. He tried to eliminate the Endangered Species Act. His Clear Skys agenda actually made for dirtier air and more pollution. His idea of Healthy Forests was to replace tress with oil derricks. While he was governor of Texas he took Houston Texas past Los Angeles as the most polluted city in the nation. He refused to allow the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions even after the EPA was ordered to do so by the United States Supreme Court! The evil Cheney/Rove/bush Administration only cared about lining the pockets of big corporate polluters like the oil companies, mining companies, the timber industry with lots of money. Bush appointed corporate lobbyists to head the regulatory agencies which is the same as asking the fox to guard the chicken house. What I have mentioned doesn't even cover a tenth of the abuse of power done by the Bush Administration but you should get the idea. All of the abuses of the Bush Administration was made much easier by the conservative right wing media that gave into Cheney, Rove and Bush at every turn. People like Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity are to TV and radio what the scum tabloids are to written news.
Again, George W. Bush does not deserve respect except that given to a criminal. He and his cronies should be prosecuted for their abuses!
I completely agree. I believe
I completely agree. I believe that any leader should be open for criticism, but should receive the respect his position entails. We elected Bush, so while I may not agree with everything he did, he should at least be treated with decency.
Hallelujah!
This is, indeed, cause for rejoicing. Bush's ship of fools has finally departed.
Yellowstone
Glad to hear they're not allowing snow mobiles back in Yellowstone. It's a beautiful place that deserves the utmost conservation.
Fred Smilek is the acting president of the Society to Save Endangered Species. It was founded two years ago by Fred Smilek along with his two best friends Charles and Jonathan. http://www.fredjsmilek.com
Reply to Joe
I am alwys so dismayed that people actually spout and believe that stuff you wrote. Do you only get your news from Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Ann Coulter? If they (the Bush Admin) haven't comitted High Treason for inummerable crimes then what would they have to do to get your attention? I'm stupified!