DeepSummary
In this podcast episode, host Colleen McDonald discusses the findings of a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists which examines how the Trump administration's deprioritization and suppression of scientific evidence has disproportionately harmed marginalized communities. Anita Desikan, the report's author, explains their methodology, which involved case studies, data analysis, and stories from community partners.
Desikan provides examples of the administration burying reports on hazardous chemicals like PFAS, undermining enforcement of environmental laws, and cutting grants for community environmental justice programs. She highlights data showing that areas near contaminated sites have higher populations of people of color and low-income households compared to national averages.
The episode also discusses how some communities are fighting back, with groups like Tejas in Houston and Clean Power Lake County advocating for stronger protections. Desikan emphasizes the importance of scientists partnering with communities, voting for pro-science candidates, and recognizing that marginalized groups often have crucial knowledge to improve research methodologies.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Trump administration deprioritized and suppressed scientific evidence in policymaking, especially around environmental issues.
- This decision disproportionately harmed marginalized communities located near contaminated sites with higher exposure to pollutants.
- The report analyzed data showing significantly higher populations of low-income households and people of color living within 5 miles of hazardous sites.
- Examples included burying reports on dangerous chemicals, cutting environmental justice grants, and reduced enforcement of environmental laws.
- While concerning, some impacted communities are fighting back by advocating for stronger protections and scientific partnerships.
- Scientists can help by partnering with communities, applying local knowledge to improve research, and providing data to support advocacy efforts.
- Individuals can push for change through voting for pro-science candidates who will restore scientific integrity in policymaking.
- Overall, restoring the role of scientific evidence in protecting public health, especially for marginalized groups, is crucial.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Scientific evidence is one of the best ways we have to determine ways to set health and safety measures, and it saves people's lives. So the fact that our administration is devaluing science on so many levels, devaluing standards that protect us from air pollution, and therefore, we can't have policies, or have fewer policies that protect us, that controls air pollution. And, of course, this is disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.“ by Anita Desikan
- “When scientists are told, do not do your science, when scientists are forbidden to offer their services, to literally help people, to save the lives of people, it's a very chilling message. And the impacts are occurring, again, disproportionately on marginalized groups.“ by Anita Desikan
- “To give an example of an equitable relationship, Yvette Ariano from Tejas has told us that there are gas flarings that can occur at odd times of the day, like in wee hours of the morning kind of thing. So if scientists were to go to that community and test the air pollution in the area, they might not be recording the air pollution times at, let's say, three in the morning.“ by Anita Desikan
Entities
Product
Book
Organization
Chemical
Person
Episode Information
Got Science?
KKFI Community Podcasts
1/21/20