In their book “Science Under Siege: How To Fight The Five Most Powerful Forces That Threaten Our World,” Michael E. Mann and Peter J. Hotez build upon Carl Sagan’s concerns about the rise of pseudoscience and the current anti-science boom in the U.S. They argue that deliberate misinformation from individuals, corporations, and governments poses serious dangers, leading to illness and fatalities, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mann, a climate scientist, and Hotez, a vaccine scientist, identify the opposition to climate science and vaccine skepticism as urgent issues exacerbated by misinformation and public health resistance. They emphasize that deaths during the pandemic were largely politicized, with Republican-majority states disproportionately affected due to anti-vaccine propaganda.
The authors outline the role of powerful actors—such as fossil fuel-rich petrostates, notably Russia—who, driven by self-interest, spread anti-science misinformation. They criticize influential figures and political rhetoric that undermine trust in science. They also acknowledge the harassment faced by scientists like themselves while stressing the need for the scientific community to engage politically and support pro-science candidates.
To combat anti-science misinformation, Mann and Hotez suggest various strategies, including stricter social media regulations, improved education, and enhanced media literacy. They call for collective action among democracies to counter the perceived anti-science agenda in the U.S., warning that the failure to address these issues could lead to the collapse of civilization as we know it. Overall, “Science Under Siege” serves as both a warning and a call to action against the pervasive threats to scientific integrity.
