Newt Gingrich, a former Republican Speaker of the House, recently made a series of statements that exemplify just how unscientific America has become. In a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Gingrich claimed that "the climate is not changing" and that "the Earth is not warming." He also said that "evolution is a theory, not a fact" and that "there is no such thing as gender dysphoria."
Gingrich's statements are not only scientifically inaccurate, they are also dangerous. They undermine the public's trust in science and make it more difficult to address the challenges that we face as a nation. For example, if people do not believe that the climate is changing, they are less likely to support policies that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And if people do not believe that evolution is a fact, they are more likely to oppose the teaching of science in schools.
The vast majority of scientists agree that the climate is changing and that human activity is the primary cause. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading international body for the assessment of climate change, has stated that "it is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of observed warming since the mid-20th century." The IPCC also found that "continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in all components of the climate system. Limiting climate change will require substantial and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions."
The scientific consensus on evolution is even stronger. The theory of evolution by natural selection is one of the most well-supported scientific theories in history. It is supported by a vast amount of evidence from multiple scientific disciplines, including genetics, paleontology, and comparative anatomy. The theory of evolution is not just a theory; it is a fact.
Gingrich's statements are dangerous because they undermine the public's trust in science. When people do not trust science, they are more likely to make decisions based on ignorance and fear. This can lead to bad public policy decisions, such as the decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change. And it can lead to personal tragedies, such as the decision to not vaccinate children.
Unscientific beliefs can also make it more difficult to solve the challenges that we face as a nation. For example, if we do not believe that the climate is changing, we are less likely to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And if we do not believe that evolution is a fact, we are less likely to support the teaching of science in schools. This makes it more difficult to prepare our children for the challenges of the 21st century.
America needs to become more scientific. We need to place a greater emphasis on science education in our schools. And we need to encourage our leaders to make decisions based on science, not on ideology.
A more scientific America would be a better America. We would be better equipped to solve the challenges that we face, and we would be better prepared for the future.
Newt Gingrich's statements exemplify just how unscientific America has become. His statements are not only scientifically inaccurate, they are also dangerous. They undermine the public's trust in science and make it more difficult to address the challenges that we face as a nation.
America needs to become more scientific. We need to place a greater emphasis on science education in our schools. And we need to encourage our leaders to make decisions based on science, not on ideology. A more scientific America would be a better America.