Hi everyone! It’s hard to ignore the escalating clash between humanity and science. A recent report from Global Witness reveals a chilling statistic: since 2012, more than 2,200 people advocating for land and environmental rights have been killed or gone missing. In 2024 alone, we’ve already seen 146 such incidents. These individuals were committed to protecting our planet and exercised their rights in peaceful ways, only to meet brutal resistance.
The challenges we face don’t end there. In fact, vested interests are launching attacks against scientific integrity, as discussed in the newly released book *Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World*, written by climatologist Michael E. Mann and pediatrician Peter J. Hotzen. This book provides insightful strategies for combating the anti-science movements gaining momentum today. For a deeper dive into the influence of powerful elites, check out Senator Bernie Sanders’ latest work, *Fight Oligarchy*. It’s a revealing read.
The Roots of the Struggle
So, how did we get into this situation? Think back to thinkers like Francis Bacon, who paved the way for what we now know as the Enlightenment or Age of Reason. His famous quote, “Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed,” suggests that a proper understanding of nature is essential for us to interact with it responsibly. Unfortunately, it seems like we’re fumbling this knowledge today.
Reflections on a Century Past
It’s been a century since the infamous *Scopes monkey trial*, where a science teacher in Tennessee faced backlash for teaching evolution, clashing with fundamentalist beliefs that rejected the idea of human descent from other species. This historical skirmish is eerily resonant today, as the scientific community finds itself under siege again for supposedly being “woke”.
Let’s break it down—moral absolutes are hard to define, and one of the pillars of democracy is understanding diverse moral viewpoints. Accepting biological evolution, supported by fossil evidence, doesn’t negate faith in God or a higher power. If one believes human beings alone are made in God’s image, it’s tough to justify acts of cruelty against both animals and fellow humans. What type of deity would endorse such inhumanity?
There’s a rich tapestry of people who sense spirituality or the divine in the natural world and our interactions with various species. Our ongoing destruction of nature and the suffering of animals fundamentally represents a distancing from that divine essence. We are intrinsically part of nature, and harming it leads to harm within ourselves.
Alaska Faces New Threats
In recent news from the Sierra Club (sierraclub.org), on October 23, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced disheartening new measures that jeopardize Alaska’s pristine landscapes, wildlife, and its local communities. In a press conference with Alaska’s political leaders, Burgum unveiled plans to open vast areas of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration, alongside endorsements for road-building projects that would stain our protected natural treasures, including one through the pristine Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Nearly 23,600 acres of public lands have been handed off to Alaska to facilitate this dubious partnership with industry.
With conservation groups gearing up to resist this threat, the backdrop of these developments is amplified by former President Trump cutting federal support for safer, sustainable energy initiatives that could also provide local job opportunities. Fundamentally, these initiatives that exacerbate climate change represent egregious violations against both humanity and nature, and it’s imperative we oppose them vigorously.
If you want to reach out, feel free to send your thoughts to animaldocfox@gmail.com or contact Dr. Michael Fox via Andrews McMeel Syndication at 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. Though I can’t respond personally due to high volumes of messages, any questions of general interest will be addressed in upcoming blogs.
To learn more about Dr. Fox, visit his site at DrFoxOneHealth.com.
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