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Out of the lab and into the House

Another election has come and gone, and nothing has changed.

For the position of University Students’ Council president, this year’s field featured six candidates, with academic backgrounds covering the spectrum. A spectrum, however, that did not include anything from science or engineering.

The microcosm that is our campus is unfortunately representative of a larger issue in North American politics. For the enormous role that health and technology play in our society, paradoxically, it would be an anomaly for a medical doctor or an engineer to hold some sort of prominent political position. Even as issues of environmental science continue to demand an increasingly large portion of our attention, the demand for environmental scientists leading the people does not exist.

We’re well aware of politicians that also hold the title of environmental activists.   Most people know of Al Gore, former American vice-president and the person behind An Inconvenient Truth. He is not, however, a scientist. He may understand, or at least trust the science behind climate change, but he is not directly involved in the research being conducted for our sakes.

Scientific illiteracy, for whatever reason, is unfortunately common. Most politicians running for office have backgrounds in the fields of law, economics or political science — possessing only an understanding of the workings of society and how to deal with people. When phrased this way, it’s understandable these are usually the people who choose to govern others.

But having only this breed of politicians is inadequate, and often it creates obstacles when it comes to scientific endeavour. A lack of understanding when it comes to the issues at hand, coupled with their ulterior motives of remaining in office result in selfish choices that rarely benefit the people who have chosen them to serve.

Granted, a government completely saturated with scientists and engineers is not ideal either. The goal is to have a balance of leaders who are able to proficiently deal with every aspect of our lives, and make informed decisions on important issues.

It’s unsettling to think that the people controlling issues of health and the environment are at best completely uneducated in the fields, and at worst making important decisions based solely on the personal wealth or power that results.

Refocusing the magnifying glass on our own campus politics, realistically there are no important decisions to be made that will affect the health of students.  It does not take a degree in environmental science to grasp how cutting down on waste is beneficial for the environment. Yet for whatever reason, science and engineering students still aren’t eager to step into the roll of campus leader.

Maybe these B.Sc.-bound students just have no desire to interact with people. Perhaps the very public nature of the role is the only thing shielding us from the barrage of ambitious engineering student ideas. Or perhaps the problem is that most just simply don’t care.

But as environmentalism becomes more of a hot-button topic and with the realities of climate change weighing down on our future, indifference can no longer be tolerated. Governments — whether federal, provincial or campus-based — are in need of a scientific uprising. It is time more science-minded individuals represent the issues and problems they have dedicated their lives to solving. With a larger spectrum of expertise making these important decisions, our society has a better chance of thriving and our collective voices have a better chance of being heard.

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