Investment in the field is for the long term good of the nation
APRIL 22 marked an important day for science. We, at the Academy of Sciences Malay-sia, had our annual general meeting (AGN) that day. For scientists in Malaysia, especially fellows of the academy, the AGM is always an important occasion for the year. This is the time when we, which now number more than 300, elect the office bearers for the academy from the position of vice-president down to the ordinary council members.
Since the academy was first established about 21 years ago, the position of president has always been decided by the government. At this year’s AGM, there was a suggestion that it is time for the position of president to also be decided by votes from the fellows, as is normally practised by other science academies around the world. The AGM also provides the opportunity for fellows to share some of their concerns on issues related to science in the country. This time around, one issue discussed was on the declining popularity of our local science journals. This, unless adequately addressed, does not bode well for the future of science in the country.
We, as a nation, are not alone facing the many challenges of science. Low interest among students, low funding, low priority accorded and low appreciation in the usefulness of science are some of the main concerns. Lately, science has emerged as an agenda which has attracted world attention. Many countries face similar concerns including even the developed West. Even the United States, which many recognise as among the world leaders in the pursuit of science, is seen taking a back seat.
A recent budget of the US signalled possible drastic cuts in the support given to some of their science entities. It has been cited that agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, are expected to see serious cuts in their allocation.
Some research funding programmes have also been cut. Most affected will be those engaged in climate change research.
Apparently, the new US administration is sceptical about global warming and climate change. They say the claim by world scientists about the rise in global temperature is all a hoax. Or fake news, using the jargon that has become popular in the current administration. They say the climate change hypothesis is used by environmental groups to create public sympathy for their cause. Since the US is among the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emission, such policy retraction will be a serious setback in the global fight against climate change. That is not going to be welcome news for many low-lying islands around the world. With the expected rise in sea levels as a consequence of climate change, the population there will have to look for other land mass to live. Inadvertently, it will create another refugee problem for the world. In addition, those countries exposed to the regular landing of climate disasters, including hurricanes and typhoons, will experience not only the increasing frequency of such calamities, but also more extreme climate disasters.
The future of our earth is therefore under serious threat. It is no wonder that on this year’s Earth Day, we had scientists the world over have come out in full force to voice concerns over what is now developing into global politics which they claim does not augur well for the future. It has been reported that from the Washington Monument to Germany’s Brandenburg Gate and even to Greenland, scientists, students and research advocates rallied on Earth Day, conveying a global message about scientific freedom without political interference, the need for adequate spending to drive future breakthroughs and just the proven socio-economic value of science. For the first time, they came in numbers which many describe as quite astronomical.
We Malaysians are still fortunate that at home, the support of science has not waned much. Though off and on, we do hear voices of disillusionment with science, many are still convinced that investment in science is for the long term good of the nation. And, most important of all, our country is still committed to the desire to help reverse the climate change phenomenon. But, we scientists must not stop engaging the policy-makers and the society at large.
The writer, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim, is a Fellow at Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy And Strategic Studies, Academy of Sciences, Malaysia. He can be reached via [email protected]
