Interior Secretary Sally Jewell is to urge researchers to speak up when they see science being overlooked or misused by politicians, Reuters reports. The news agency viewed a copy of a speech Jewell is to give today before the annual American Geophysical Union meeting.
"If you see science being ignored or compromised, speak up," Jewell's draft speech says.
In particular Jewell is to focus her speech on climate science and climate change, which Reuters notes the incoming Trump Administration has shrugged off as a hoax. It adds that President-elect Donald Trump has also select oil industry-friendly individuals for his cabinet, like former Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Jewell is to argue that policymakers cannot ignore the science on this. She is to point out that some national historic sites that she oversees in her post like the site of the 17th century Jamestown colony would be affected by rising sea levels.
"Think about where to raise your voice and then do it," Jewell is to say to the assembled group of researchers. "The American people must be able to trust science."