Climate Scientist Leaves the U.S. Amidst Trump Administration's Attacks

Professor Ben Santer, a prominent climate scientist known for his research on human-induced climate change, has announced his decision to leave the United States for the United Kingdom. Citing an increasingly hostile environment under the Trump administration, Santer expressed that he can "no longer safely" conduct his work in America. His departure follows a series of concerning incidents, including funding cuts to climate research and pressure from industry lobbyists to investigate his work.

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Santer has dedicated nearly four decades to studying the human impact on climate, notably contributing to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in 1995, which concluded that there is a discernible human influence on global climate. His research has faced significant backlash, particularly from fossil fuel industry lobbyists and political figures who have attempted to discredit his findings. Santer's experiences were notably dramatized in the play "Kyoto," which depicted the negotiations leading to the Kyoto Protocol.

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During the Trump administration, Santer reported experiencing "significant headwinds," including politically motivated funding cuts and complaints about his conduct from administration members. He stated, “If the President of the United States is dismissing your work not only as incorrect but as dishonest, hoax, conspiracy, then that ignorance trickles down to other levels of government.” The situation escalated during Trump's second term, which Santer claims is characterized by efforts to dismantle the scientific enterprise of climate research in the U.S.

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Santer's decision to relocate was influenced by concerns for his colleagues and collaborators in the U.S., who could face negative repercussions due to their association with his work. He highlighted the real threats posed by fossil fuel lobbyists, including a letter sent to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi calling for an investigation into his previous work. Santer's partner resides in the UK, where he will take up an honorary professorship at the University of East Anglia, his alma mater.

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In light of his move, Santer emphasized the importance of the scientific community in Europe remaining vigilant against the "export of willful ignorance" from the U.S. He urged scientists to publicly advocate for the reality and seriousness of climate change, countering narratives that dismiss it as a hoax. “The administration doesn’t get to define what reality is,” he stated, reinforcing his commitment to continue his advocacy for climate science.

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Professor Santer's departure has sparked discussions about the state of climate science in the U.S. and the implications of political interference in scientific research. His experiences highlight the challenges faced by scientists under administrations that question established scientific consensus.

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• “Under the second Trump administration, it’s become increasingly difficult for me to do my job,” — Professor Ben Santer

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• “The degree of misrepresentation, was pretty shocking…it claims, without evidence, that we didn’t find a human fingerprint on atmospheric temperature.” — Professor Ben Santer

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• “Being brought to the attention of someone like that is concerning, and that was another factor in my decision that I could no longer safely do my work in the United States,” — Professor Ben Santer

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• “I think it’s critically important for scientists to speak out publicly about the reality and seriousness of climate change in the face of these alternate narratives that it’s a hoax, a con job, a conspiracy,” — Professor Ben Santer

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