Is Mobilising Scientists the Answer, In A Climate of Anti-Science?

 

Bill McGuire (Professor Emeritus University College of London) and Roger Hallam (co-founder of the climate activist bodies 'Extinction Rebellion'; 'Insulate Britain' and 'Just Stop Oil') jointly opine that UK scientists should stop prizing their neutrality and " must fully back the climate movement" (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/09/planet-dying-climate-crisis-emergency-scientists). Scientists are folk who use (with varied degrees of competence), the scientific method. Practitioners make observations. On the basis of what they 'see' (it's not always visual), they then construct testable hypotheses (potential explanations). Then, on the basis of the results of repeated (often numerous) tests, they increase or reduce their support for particular hypotheses.  Eventually, one hypothesis might emerge as a theory that most experts in that area of science  accept. Scientists deal in probabilities rather than certainties. Sections of the general population don't understand and/or are suspicious of non-certainty. Scientists are also far from being a  homogeneous group. They include anthropologists; astronomers; biologists; chemists; computer scientists; economists; engineers; geologists; medical practitioners; meteorologists; nutritionists; pharmacologists; physicists; psychologists; psychiatrists; sociologists etc.; etc. Many would, consequently, claim to have little direct  expertise in climate change science. They may well have views on the climate emergency but this wouldn't result from any application of science. Like any other 'big tent' grouping, there will be some individuals who would prefer not to commit themselves. It must also be noted that there's currently, in some circles, a profound distrust of science. Some of this is 'whipped up' by social media posts, linked to so-called  'conspiracy theories'. Some have even been generated by 'rogue scientists'. Vested commercial interests also attack science when it seems likely to impact their profits. I fully support the call for action on the climate emergency. I think, however, that this should be directed to the general population. Scientists can be too-easily dismissed, as an 'unelected  (and consequently untrustworthy?) elite'. Singling them out is, I feel, mistaken.