General Overview

Experts

We should rely on the research and recommendations of experts to guide our strategies for mitigating, coping with, and eradicating the harms caused by the climate crisis and pandemics. Decisions that affect community safety, health, and wellness should be made in consultation with those who have extensive experience studying and working with the issues in question.

Experts can be found outside of traditional academia. Frontline communities are often a wellspring of local knowledge and valuable information. Activists, land stewards, and doulas (for birth and death) are a few examples of community and experience-based expertise.

EPA

Important and necessary information is often inaccessible to those who are lower income and not connected with traditional institutions of higher learning. High tuition costs, paywalls, and expensive subscription fees are insurmountable barriers for many who need access to timely and accurate information.

CDC

In the United States, the Trump administration’s interference with the pandemic response of the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an example of political meddling that undermines public health. A similar situation has unfolded in Brazil, where public health officials have been terminated from their positions for stressing the importance of quarantining and social distancing.

The muzzling of experts and disruption of their work in the pursuit of political agendas have led to the proliferation of disinformation, uncertainty, and tragic outcomes with both the COVID-19 crisis and the climate crisis.

Moving Forward

More energy should be devoted to highlighting the crucial role of professionals in addressing crises like COVID-19 and climate change. PSA campaigns and teach-ins should be launched to counter the existence of disinformation that causes people to view scientists, public health officials, and a range of credible experts with unwarranted skepticism.

Sources