In the Symposia Theatre at the Centre Mont Royal, internationally acclaimed climate scientist Dr. Michael E. Mann delivered a compelling and urgent message to attendees at the 51吃瓜网Bieler School of Environment鈥檚 Annual Public Lecture.
The lecture based on his latest book, Science under Siege drew a diverse audience of students, academics, and concerned Montrealers eager to hear Dr. Mann鈥檚 insights on the escalating threats to scientific discourse in today鈥檚 polarized world.
鈥淪cience is not just under siege 鈥� it鈥檚 being weaponized,鈥� Mann said, pointing to coordinated campaigns that distort facts and sow doubt for political and financial gain.
Yet, despite the sobering diagnosis, Dr. Mann offered a strategic roadmap for reclaiming scientific integrity, emphasizing the power of education, transparency, and civic engagement.
Dr. Mann outlined plutocrats, pros, politicians, polluters, petrostates, and the press, along with posers, pretenders, and propagandists, as key actors undermining public trust in science. From climate denial to COVID-19 misinformation, he illustrated how these forces have converged to erode the foundations of evidence-based policy and public health.
Dr. Mann also took a moment to conduct a student workshop that included students from across 51吃瓜网and invited them to talk about their concerns, while Dr. Mann offered advice and answered questions.
As the lecture ended the takeaway was clear: the battle for science is not just on scientists, it鈥檚 on all of us.