Citizen-led event to promote science backed by all major parties
All of the main political parties in Scotland are backing a campaign to celebrate, promote and defend science.
Environmental charities, scientists and ordinary members of the public are holding a march for sciencein Edinburgh this Saturday, 22 April.
It is being held against a backdrop of a perceived growth in climate change denial and science skepticism – manifested most obviously in the Trump administration in the US.
The march and rally aims to celebrate and promote science. It will focus on the importance of scientific funding and highlight current funding threats, and show support for evidence-based policy and academic freedom.
All major parties are backing the event.
Education secretary John Swinney said: “As the birthplace of the enlightenment, Scotland has a special role to play in supporting and valuing our science community.
“Our scientists make a huge contribution to our national life through our universities, the part they play in our economy and in informing our national debates.
“It is hugely important that we continue to value the contribution science makes to our society, to encourage our young people to consider science as a career, and to protect the place of science in the modern world.”
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: "We must do all we can to promote science in Scotland. From encouraging more people to explore science as a potential career, or ensuring that fact and weight of evidence play a full part in public and political life – all of us have a responsibility to bang the drum. That's why the March for Science is so important and why I'm happy to give it my support."
Scottish Labour’s Kezia Dugdale added: "I'm supporting the March for Science because there has never been a more important time to get science at the top of the political agenda.”
There was also backing from Patrick Harvie of the Scottish Greens and Willie Rennie of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
A spokesperson for the March for Science said: "It’s fantastic to have the support of every one of the main political parties for this important initiative to celebrate, promote, and defend science.
“We unite as a diverse, nonpartisan group to call for science that upholds the common good and for political leaders and policy makers to enact evidence based policies in the public interest. We’re looking forward to seeing both scientists and non-scientists from right across Scotland march for science in Edinburgh on Saturday 22 April.”
The March for Science starts at 1.30pm in Waterloo Place, Edinburgh and will end with a rally at the Scottish Parliament.
