On Friday two scientists who served as advisers on an independent board reviewing Environmental Protection Agency research resigned in protest of Donald Trump’s blatant disregard for science.
Dr. Carlos Martin, senior research associate at the Urban Institute, and Dr. Peter Meyer, President and Chief Economist of The EP Systems Group were the two scientists that resigned.
Dr. Martin told the Independent, he could “not be a future prop for bad science.”
The two doctors had positions on the EPA’s Board of Scientific Counselor’s (BOSC) Sustainable and Health Communities Subcommittee. They stated that they resigned in response to the recent decision not to reappoint several members of the BOSC, presumably to replace them with industry representatives.
One of the members whose contract is to be terminated stated that he is concerned the board would be “repopulated with business friendly scientists, pushing a questionable kind of science.”
Martin and Meyer also believe the the integrity of the EPA is diminishing, as is reflected in the recent revamping of policies and website to move away from the topic of climate change. The EPA is also facing a proposed 40 percent budget cut next year.
Liz Perera, public health director of the Sierra Club is concerned as well:
“This is another sign that Trump’s administration and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt are engaging in an intentional effort to put decisions about public health and safety in the hands of industry and corporate polluters instead of scientists and doctors.”
The doctors posted the following letter on Twitter, using the hashtag #standupforscience:
Just resigned from EPA subcommittee to protest removal of @ecotrope & Courtney Flint. Painful professional decision. #standupforscience pic.twitter.com/Zz09bD0vnj
— Carlos Martín (@carlosonhousing) May 12, 2017
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