New data from the United States Government indicates a crucial shortage of Public Service scientists working on environmental research and enforcement.
The information shows the ranks of these workers were sharply reduced under the Administration of previous President, Donald Trump.
Government scientists say many veteran staffers retired, quit or moved to other Agencies amid pressure from an Administration they regarded as hostile to science and beholden to industry.
Leadership positions are vacant at the Geological Survey’s climate science centres, and the Department of Agriculture’s research into environmental issues important to farmers is unfinished.
That poses a challenge for Mr Trump’s successor, Joe Biden, who must rebuild a depleted and demoralised workforce to make good on promises to tackle climate change, protect the environment and reduce pollution that disproportionately affects poor and minority communities.
Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement official, Kyla Bennett said it would take a long time to undo the damage that the Trump Administration had done.
Ms Bennett, who now directs science policy for the not for profit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said many scientists left as Mr Trump’s Administration rolled back regulations and undercut climate work, leaving Agencies with less experience, a work backlog and unfinished research.
Employment data shows more than 670 science jobs were lost at the EPA, 150 at the Geological Survey (which researches human-caused climate change and natural hazards) and 231 at the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Washington, 31 January 2021
