The Natural History Museum will be exhibiting at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Boston February 16-20. AAAS is the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society, with members in more than 91 countries around the globe.
This year’s AAAS meeting theme is Serving Science Through Science Policy, very topical in light of current events. Learn more about it here, and check out AAAS CEO Rush Holt’s op-ed “Scientists Must Take a Stand“. In his words:
“Simply letting the facts speak for themselves is not sufficient. Taking action is the best course when science is threatened or when science can illuminate public issues.”
We couldn’t agree more. Science serves the common good. It protects the health of our communities, the safety of our families, the education of our children, the foundation of our economy and jobs, and the future we all want to live in and preserve for coming generations.
But it’s under threat — both science itself, and the unalienable rights that scientists help uphold and protect.
From the muzzling of scientists and government agencies, to the immigration ban, the deletion of scientific data, and the de-funding of public science, the erosion of our institutions of science is a dangerous direction for our country. Real people and communities bear the brunt of these actions.
For those reasons, The Natural History Museum joins with ClimateTruth, Union of Concerned Scientists, 500 Women Scientists, March for Science, Alliance for Climate Education and others to stage a rally to #StandUpForScience on the occasion of the AAAS meeting. Join us there!
