Bill Nye “the Science Guy,” the television personality and former Boeing engineer who got his start in Seattle TV sketch comedy, gave a rousing speech in defense of science at the March for Science today in Washington, D.C. — to the traditional chant of “Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill!” from the crowd.
Watch his address above and continue reading for a transcript.
Bill Nye, Planetary Society CEO and host of “Bill Nye Saves The World.”
Greetings, greetings, follow citizens!
We are marching today to remind people everywhere — our lawmakers, especially — of the significance of science for our health and prosperity. The process of science has enabled humankind to discover the laws of nature. This understanding has, in turn, has enabled us to feed and care for the world’s billions, build great cities, establish effective governments, create global transportation systems, explore outer space, and know the cosmos.
The framers of the Constitution of the United States, which has become a model for constitutional governments everywhere, included Article 1, Section 8, which refers to promoting the progress of science and useful arts. Its intent is to motivate innovators and drive the economy by means of just laws. They knew that, without the progress of science and useful arts, of engineering, our economy would falter. Without scientifically literate citizens the United States — any country, in fact — cannot compete on the world stage.
Yet today we have a great many lawmakers — not just here, but around the world — deliberately ignoring and actively suppressing science. Their inclination is misguided, and in no one’s best interest. Our lives are in every way improved by having clean water, reliable electricity and access to electronic global information. Each is a product of scientific discoveries, diligent research and thoughtful engineering. These vital services are connected to policy issues, which can only be addressed competently by understanding the natural laws in play.
Some may consider science the purview of a special or separate type of citizen — one who pursues natural facts and generates numerical models for their own sake. But our numbers here today show the world that science is for all. Our lawmakers must know and accept that science serves every one of us. Every citizen of every nation in society. Science must shape policy. Science is universal. Science brings out the best in us.
With an informed, optimistic view of the future, together, we can — dare, I say it — SAVE THE WORLD! Thank you! … Science!
GeekWire aerospace and science editor Alan Boyle filed this report from the March for Science in Washington, D.C. Also see GeekWire’s coverage from the Seattle event.
