A new organization dedicated to urging politicians to base decisions on sound science is a welcome addition to Greater Victoria.
That’s not to say citizens would be better served by a more technocratic approach to governing, in which scientists and engineers make decisions now made by elected officials.
However, we live in an age marked by an overwhelming availability of information. With that, many of us have become numb to the bombardment of junk-science and have also over-valued the merits of celebrity endorsements and personal testimonials.
It’s harder and harder to separate hard facts from data that looks like facts — especially when it’s about an issue that affects something as precious as our personal health.
It’s also troubling that there are so many people ready to counter scientific arguments by fabricating data, extrapolating falsehoods from facts or condemning anything that doesn’t support their case as evidence of conspiracy.
The new group, Scientific Victoria (ScientificVictoria.org, see the story on page A26), does not hold a monopoly on the truth. However, the small organization’s ideals are worthwhile.
Nationally, a group of scientists who work in the civil service have created a website PublicScience.ca, dedicated to making sure political decisions made at a federal level are based on sound science.
The public, through elected representatives, must continue to make the decisions that affect lives. And while some decisions will continue to be made because it feels right — the region is known for preferring a progressive approach, especially on environmental issues — we also need to know that at the heart of political agendas, representatives are doing the right thing based on sound, empirical evidence.