As I write today for this week's column, the world has been greeted by the grim news of another powerful earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia on late Wednesday, and was felt as far off as Australia. It did not trigger a tsunami this time nor was any damage or injuries immediately reported, perhaps because the magnitude 7.2 quake took place at a depth of at least 120 miles under the seabed. Last week we had catalogued a string of recent natural disasters and extreme weather disturbances to pose the most obvious question whether we, the earthlings, have anything to do with it and what is it that we are doing to cope with such calamitous threats.
Nothing can be more illustrative as an answer to that question than the proceedings of the recently concluded meeting of the American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS). Founded in 1848, The AAAS is a highly respected non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world by serving as an educator, leader, spokesperson and professional association. Its mission is to "advance science and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people."
The reports and opinions of the AAAS therefore often serve as a mirror to the world in shaping priorities for scientific research and development. This year the national meeting of the august body concluded rather sadly that the voice of science was being stifled and ignored in America, with fewer scientists being given any say in policy discussions and grants for research and advanced training being cut substantially. Why should this be of concern to us? After all, what America does is its business. Is it? Not really.
As a leader of the free world, America has huge political responsibilities to the world community and it has shown (sometimes not-so-admirable) aggressiveness in carrying out that role. Iraq may be a bad example of America's political leadership in the world; nevertheless, there are countless others (like the bloodless democratic revolution in Ukraine or the one currently underway in Lebanon) where American leadership, its active or tacit help, support and inspiration has shaped the eventual outcome.
Political leadership is however the handmaiden of economic strength. It would be no exaggeration to say that the dominance of America on the world stage is largely a function of its economic might. As the largest economy in the world, America's capacity to fund scientific research and development is unmatched. Fortunately for us, and the world community has to acknowledge this gratitude, America has so far lived up to its leadership role in bringing forth cutting edge advancement in science and technology to the world community in making the earth a far more hospitable place than it was hundred years ago.
{{/usCountry}}Political leadership is however the handmaiden of economic strength. It would be no exaggeration to say that the dominance of America on the world stage is largely a function of its economic might. As the largest economy in the world, America's capacity to fund scientific research and development is unmatched. Fortunately for us, and the world community has to acknowledge this gratitude, America has so far lived up to its leadership role in bringing forth cutting edge advancement in science and technology to the world community in making the earth a far more hospitable place than it was hundred years ago.
{{/usCountry}}That momentum is now being seen as in decline and regression. And that is the cause of our serious concern, and of the AAAS. In one recent report on the AAAS, Rosina Bierbaum, dean of the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment, was quoted as regretting publicly that the current dispensation in America has cut scientists out of some of the policy-making processes, particularly on environmental issues.
Issues on global warming, for instance, that achieved a firm scientific consensus in earlier years are now being questioned by policy makers. Proven, widely accepted research is being ignored or disputed, she said. Government policy papers issued prior to the year 2000 moved beyond questioning the validity of global warming science and addressed ways of confronting or dealing with climate change. Under the Bush administration, according to Bierbaum, the questioning of proven science has become more important than finding ways to cope with climate change.
What's the entire hullabaloo about global warming? The estimates of the contribution may vary but we can all agree upon one indisputable fact that humans have contributed to global warming. Of course, there is no certainty in current models of scientific estimates and this uncertainty gives rise to some conflicting data. But we cannot wait for more scientific data to bolster a hypothesis that we are experiencing as a reality, with a sudden regularity and pace hitherto never seen or recorded in human history.
We, as the most intelligent organism on the face of earth, have the ability to see deeper patterns in the data that is already with us. And the overwhelming weight of the climate data shows that the overall trend is unmistakably towards warming. The assignment of blame to either man or nature is missing the real message.
Our job now is to quickly arrive at a consensus based on scientific insights to create global awareness and education on how the warming of the globe will affect our lives here. We can devise possible adaptations to the opportunities and tragedies that will certainly arise. Humans are quite incredibly adaptable, so let's feed our energy into creative insights about dealing with this fascinating geological change. No more alarms or denials are needed. America has to take the lead once again.