Today, the New York Times reported that there are only 124 researchers left at the Environmental Protection Agency, down from more than 1,500 a year ago.
Why does this number matter? Oh, let me count the ways!
- Science is the cornerstone of progress. When the number of scientific jobs decreases, our society may be in trouble.
- This number has no bearing on the actual value of the work being done — it’s politically motivated. When I was in school, I foolishly thought that science was a meritocracy. It turns out that science is susceptible to political “winds of change“.
- The work done by the Environmental Protection Agency is more urgent now than ever. Climate change is real. Holding companies accountable is important.
While there are many more reasons, these are enough for me.
President Trump has made many blunders, from appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services to going to war in Iran.
I am concerned about many troubling aspects of life in the USA in 2026. I don’t think that policy-makers understand the full impact of our investments in AI, they don’t recognize the threat that huge companies pose to our democracy, and they don’t value our most prized resource: an informed population that is struggling to find meaningful work.
Nevertheless, I believe in the possibilities available!
I imagine a day when our politicians care about the environment, when they fight for the Common Good, and when they respond to many individuals (and not just their wealthiest donors).
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