Urge your Senator: Reject climate-denier for top USDA scientist
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- Published on Tuesday, 22 August 2017 12:15
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The top USDA scientist should be . . . a scientist.Dear PAOV,
In another attack on science, Donald Trump has nominated Sam Clovis — a right-wing radio talk show host with no science background and a history of racist remarks — to be the chief scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This is unacceptable. Tell your Senators to vote NO on Clovis!
Clovis has said that climate science is “junk science” and “not proven.” And he has made it clear the agency won’t address climate change in agriculture policy if he has his way. But USDA can’t help farmers cope with a changing climate — or become part of the solution — if the agency’s head of science ignores the overwhelming evidence of a problem.
The challenges facing America’s farmers, from severe weather events to pollinator declines and deteriorating soil health, make the USDA’s science mission more important than ever.
If confirmed, Clovis would be in a crucial post that oversees a budget of nearly $3 billion and is responsible for agriculture and natural resource issues. With no scientific background, he is wholly unqualified.
Trump’s nomination of Clovis also directly violates the 2008 Farm Bill, which states that the nominee "shall be appointed by the President . . . from among distinguished scientists with specialized training or significant experience in agricultural research, education, and economics.” Past undersecretaries have been credentialed scientists including biochemists, plant physiologists and nutritionists.
Trump’s pick of an unqualified, anti-science talk show host with no credible science, policy or agriculture background is unacceptable.
Thank you for speaking up!
Pesticide Action Network North America
Berkeley, CA | Minneapolis, MN
510.788.9020 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | www.panna.org
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