The Founding of theThe Center for Science and Democracy
May 17, 2012 The United States has enjoyed sustained prosperity, security and health over much of its history in large part because of our strong commitment to independent and rigorous science. Sound decisions start with the best possible information, grounded in fact and tested by reason. And free inquiry flourishes best in a free society.
The Founding Fathers understood the importance of this partnership, as did leaders from Lincoln to Eisenhower, FDR to JFK. Because of our nation's high regard for scientific expertise, the United States became recognized in the 20th century as the global leader in science and innovation.
A Troubling Trend
In recent years, however, understanding of science and respect for its role in decision making have declined. An excessively partisan political climate and an increasingly noisy media landscape have combined to produce an environment in which science is easily drowned out by misinformation or manipulated for the benefit of private interests.
And this couldn't be happening at a worse time. Our leaders are grappling with some of the most complex and daunting problems in our history: stemming the tide of global warming, finding sustainable ways to feed, power and transport ourselves, reducing the threat of catastrophic war. We cannot hope to solve these problems without the aid of rigorous, independent science.
Restoring Science's Role
In response to these challenges, the Union of Concerned Scientists has launched a new intiative: the Center for Science and Democracy. The Center is dedicated to restoring the essential role of science, evidence-based knowledge, and constructive debate in the U.S. policymaking process, using three core strategies:
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