Progressive Democrat Issue 89: PROTECTING SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

These days Republican attacks on the environment and on science go together. Even as the threat from global warming increases, potentially nearing a point of no return, Republican denial and attacks on science increases as well.

Our democracy depends on fighting for fair elections and media. Our lives and the lives our our children may depend on fighting for the environment and our scientific understanding of that environment.

I want to highlight just a few of the many groups that are worth your attention and support.

I want to start with the Union of Concerned Scientits, one of my favorite groups. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices. Their website is a goldmine of information and action alerts. Included are a hybrid car comparison page, a series of articles on global warming solutions, and an effort to fight Republican attacks on science.

A brand new group with some real promise is Scientists and Engineers for America. Furious at Republican attacks on science, a group of scientists and engineers formed this group specifically to elect public officials who respect evidence and understand the importance of using scientific and engineering advice in making public policy. The founding members are: Peter Agre, Ph.D., Brian Athey, Ph.D., John H. Gibbons, Ph.D., Alfred Gilman, M.D., Ph.D., Daniel L. Goroff, Ph.D., Henry Kelly, Ph.D., Neal Lane, Ph.D., Michael MacCracken, Ph.D., Burton Richter, Ph.D., Michael Stebbins, Ph.D., and Susan F. Wood, Ph.D. They are non-partisan, but their discussion of issues sounds a lot like the Democratic Party platform: great minds think alike. They also sponsor events, including ones in Washington, D.C. and New York City. This is a chance to get in at the beginning of a group's efforts and help them shape their path.

Conservation International is quite possibly THE international environmental group there is. With what I consider to be the broadest and smartest agenda, they are top of my list for support. Conservation International applies innovations in science, economics, policy and community participation to protect the Earth's richest regions of plant and animal diversity in the biodiversity hotspots, high-biodiversity wilderness areas as well as important marine regions around the globe. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., CI works in more than 40 countries on four continents. If you only support one environmental group, I would suggest that this should be that one group.

One of my personal favorites is the international conservations efforts of the Wildlife Conservation Society of NY. This organization (which also runs the zoos and aquaria in NYC, including the world famous Bronx zoo and my local Prospect Park zoo) phrases their mission very simply: "Our mission at the Wildlife Conservation Society is to save wildlife and wild places." They cover a large amoung of territory on four continents and in the oceans between continents. Next to Conservation International, WCS is one of the organizations I have been most impressed with.

Please consider supporting one or more of these groups and at least signing up for their newsletters/action alerts.