Rally pushes back against politicization of science
Policy should be based on fact not personal beliefs, organizers say
“Science, not silence” was the rallying cry for hundreds of Calgarians descending on city hall for the March for Science on Saturday.
Carrying colourful signs reading “There’s no planet B,” “Don’t bring opinions to a fact fight” and “Climate change is real,” marchers were not shy about sharing their thoughts on science being kept out of the political arena.
Held on Saturday as part of Earth Day 2017, March for Science Calgary was one of more than 600 satellite marches around the world in support of the March for Science in Washington, D.C., to protest the politicization of science.
“We unite as a diverse, non-partisan group to call for science that upholds the common good, and for political leaders and policymakers to enact evidence-based policies in the public interest,” reads the March for Science mission statement.
March for Science Calgary organizer Chelsa Dornian said she hopes the rally will send a clear message to Canadian politicians across party lines that policy-making should be based on scientific fact, not personal beliefs.
“It’s frankly quite scary when we’re putting aside fact for opinion or ideology or people’s gut feelings,” Dornian said.
“So I think that’s why it resonated with a lot of people here today … not just to remind our politicians that they need to take these things into account, but also to show that we’re here to support our brothers and sisters and folks to the south as well.”
Aida Nsiri attended the march with her 18-month-old daughter and said she is concerned with the way politicians disregard the science of climate change and reproductive health for women.
“We’re more in the world of ideologies and fear. Rather than trying to be rational and make science work for humanity as a whole, we just work on division by ideology,” said Nsiri. “So I think for this (next) generation, it will be important for (my daughter) to be aware of these issues and be able to be part of the solution.”
Member of the Order of Canada, Beakerhead co-founder and former Discovery Channel host Jay Ingram attended the march and said there are concerns over the defunding of scientific research and denial of climate change.
“I came out because I think it’s true that in a lot of different ways, science is undervalued today,” Ingram said. “It’s complex, right? There’s a lot of things going on but, as a person that’s sort of identified with science as I am, I just had to be here.”
“People are worried that politicians don’t know anything about science — all of these things are worthwhile. But I think the fundamental thing is, somehow, people don’t see the value of the research that goes on behind lab doors quite as much as they should. So, for me, that’s a big issue.”
Dornian said the event organizers will be posting “day of action items” on their social media accounts every day in the coming week to help keep people politically and scientifically engaged.
“We’d really like to keep the momentum moving,” Dornian said. “And I hope this gives people the impetus to start being more engaged with what’s going on globally as well.”