"Donald Trump's war on science has been vicious and hugely damaging, but it is worth noting that he has lost some of its biggest battles. Last year, Mr Trump demanded that US federal scientific and medical research funding be cut by about half. But the budget Congress passed in February actually delivered a slight increase in overall funding although specific Trump targets such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were cut."
"Scientists themselves appear to be waking up to the potential of such politics. The organisation 314 Action, which supports Democratic scientists running for office, reported that more than 700 candidates vying for local, congressional and gubernatorial positions have sought its support ahead of the midterm elections this year, three times the usual number."
"Wherever rightwing populists triumph, science is likely to suffer. Jair Bolsonaro's rule in Brazil saw him attack scientists and cut environmental funding. In India, Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government purged the theory of evolution from school textbooks."
Donald Trump's efforts to undermine science have been met with resistance, as Congress increased federal scientific funding despite his proposed cuts. The bipartisan pro-science consensus remains strong, limiting Trump's influence. The organization 314 Action has seen a surge in candidates seeking support, motivated by the political climate surrounding science. This trend is not isolated to the US, as similar attacks on science have occurred globally under rightwing populist leaders. Scientists are increasingly engaging in politics to combat these challenges, although political involvement alone may not resolve the issues faced by science.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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