Over the past week, I have seen growing media coverage over the issue of science, and whether or not the government chooses to believe scientific facts.
As a biology major, I thought I'd share my views on this, because it deeply disturbs me. Here is the career to which I plan to dedicate my life, and it's coming under fire for reasons of political gain and power grabbing.
I'd like to start by saying that it literally makes no difference whether or not you "believe" in science. The world isn't going to suddenly become flat because you think it is. You won't fly into space if you don't believe in gravity. Similarly, the ice caps won't stop melting just because you don't think they actually are.
The only thing that people do with their disbelief is create damage. For example, someone who believes in climate change might take extra steps to help reduce their personal impact by recycling or buying greener cars. However, someone who doesn't believe in climate change would have no qualms about driving diesel-powered vehicles with low fuel efficiency. They might not care if that piece of plastic finds its way to our oceans.
Your belief won't change the unalterable facts, but it will change how you choose to respond to them.
Now, here's the part that I don't get when it comes to people not believing in things such as climate change. Pretend for a second that climate change isn't real. You won't gain or lose anything by choosing to live a green lifestyle. However, if climate change is real, your choice on this matter becomes vitally important. You can either choose to help or harm the planet. So basically, looking at all the options here, your possibilities are: apathy, damage, or leaving a better world for future generations. It's not a chance you can afford to pass up, even if you aren't fully convinced of the powers of science.
That's what this all boils down to. Every action we take here on this planet should leave the world a better place for those who will come after us. Even if you don't believe in things you haven't seen with your own eyes, liking the melting of the ice caps, at least believe in what you do see. Take a look at the pictures of animals covered in oil, the turtle stuck in a plastic six-pack holder, and ask yourself if you want to see children swimming in oil, choking on plastic. Is that the world you want to leave behind?
That is why I believe in science. I believe that through its study and use, we are fully capable of saving this planet. While moving to Mars in the distant future might be an easy-out, Earth is our home. We can't keep treating it the way college guys treat other people's property on Friday nights.