Master Resource By Robert Bradley Jr. -- December 18, 2019
The lecture reprinted below, “Mediocre Careerism, Respectability Politics, and Bad Behavior by Senior Scientists Erode Global Climate Leadership,†was given last week at the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union. Sarah Myhre‘s session title was titled “Is environmental science serving or failing society?†Her remarks follow without comment.
“… effective action on climate change has been impeded for 30 years because of the political assassination and anti-democratic campaigns (a form of extortion, lies, intimidation, bribery, and toadery) waged by ExxonMobil, Shell, British Petroleum and other fossil fuel companies…. Their transactions of power are so damaging and genocidal….â€
“Here we find the genocidal systems of white supremacy, fascism, nationalism, colonialism, neoliberalism, and capitalism. Here we find the billionaires, the oligarchs, the war mongers, the predators, the enablers. The veins and axes of power that maintain white patriarchy are the same axes of power that fossil fuel companies operate from.â€
“… progress at any cost is what we must fight for. In this frame, racist, misogynist, colonialist behavior are just unfortunate externalities of having to move fast and break things.â€
My name is Dr. Sarah Myhre. I am speaking here today in my capacity as the founder and Executive Director of Rowan Institute, which is a think tank and nonprofit organization for leadership in a hot and dangerous world. We uphold feminist, anti-racist, anti-colonial norms and practices, to train scientists, students, and STEM practitioners in public scholarship and climate leadership….
My talk today is entitled “Mediocre careerism, respectability politics, and bad behavior by senior scientists erode global climate leadership.â€
Wow! What a fun title, right? Just another confrontational step down the path of indicting allies in public, you might think. Why such a negative frame when what we really need right now is brave and hopeful leadership, you might think. Why can’t you focus on something more positive, some climate solutions, you might think. Such a nasty woman, you might think.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here!
As we all know, in the cannons [sic. Presumably she meant canons–but who can be sure?] of science communication norms, to properly communicate, we must start by being personable and then follow with telling a story. So, because motherhood is a highly-valued social and moral good within the patriarchy, I will tell you (in a very relatable and warm way) that today I am here with my 6-year-old son. We have had a really great time seeing old friends, exploring the exhibition floor, and spending time at the NASA booth. What an absolute joy. We are both learning so much today.
More:
https://www.masterresource.org/climate-exaggeration/climate-feminism-agenda/