« Our research cannot be wiped out as opinions »
Recently, we have repeatedly seen how politicians abuse research results or ignore scientific knowledge to support their political agenda. We, 1,047 researchers from more than 30 universities and many academic disciplines, protest against this development. We would like to emphasize with force that the role of science as a carrier is more important than ever in the multiple crises we are in.
To ignore research -based facts and dismissed scientific findings as « opinions », as power holders, undermine the basis for a democratic and sustainable society. Here are some examples of this:
1. The Climate Act Adopted in 2017 with the support of seven parties. The Climate Policy Council is part of the climate policy framework and consists of well -regarded researchers with the task of evaluating how well the government’s policy is compatible with the Riksdag’s and the government’s decided climate goals. The Council has criticized both the former and the current government’s climate policy and made well -established recommendations.
But in 2024, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) commented on the Council’s conclusions that « There are different opinions » And dismissed the researchers’ knowledge as « thought ». That also Minister of Climate and Environment Romina Pourmokhtari (L) this year not for the first time participated in the presentation Of the Council report in March, further very worrying signals send.
Politicians prioritize specific special interests, instead of listening to established expertise and research
2. EU Regulation on Restoration of Nature Requires Sweden to restore natural environments to such an extent that by 2050 there are sufficiently large areas to ensure the vitality of different types of habitat and their typical species. Research shows that 10-30 percent of the original area of a natural type for long -term life force is required.
In 2024, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency calculated how large areas are needed in Sweden to meet the requirements of the regulation. Prior to EU reporting, the government has Instructed the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency To indicate that the area required is unknown to grasslands, and that the areas that existed at the EU entry for certain types of forests were sufficient. The government has thus ignored the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s scientific analysis.
If this were to be applied in the regulation, the entire restoration need is eradicated in forest habitats and no case can be set for claimed grasslands. Yet another example of how politicians prioritize specific special interests, instead of listening to established expertise and research.
3. In criminal policy are proposed to be constant penalties. Sweden comes with this policy is forced to spend many new billions of SEK on locking in more and more people, including children. The research is clear that this is a ineffective method In order to reduce crime long -term. The tightening of the penalties proposed primarily hits a type of minor crime that has been on decline for a long time, rather than the serious violence crime the debate is about.
These research results have been repeatedly summarized and presented in various referral responses, which, however, were not taken into account by the politicians
Resources would Do greater benefit If they were invested in school and in social support efforts. These research results have been repeatedly summarized and presented in different referral responsehowever, which has not been taken into account by the politicians – yet another example of how research is ignored.
4. Within the energy area If politicians are heard that nuclear power is necessary for a stable and reliable energy system, especially in view of ongoing industrial compositions. This is contradicted by researchers, who show that it is a misconception that nuclear power is necessary for a stable electrical system. In order to make wise decisions, a scientifically based Technology -neutral impact assessment of various future electrical systems with all conceivable techniques taken into account. The criticism has been waved away by the government, which again describes the researchers’ expert opinions as « Opinions«
It is turned on unbearable to see how knowledge institutions are dismantled and democracy threatened
Political decisions and Priorities must rest on a correct and scientifically anchored fact base in order for us to handle the major and complex challenges we face. In the United States, science is being questioned and the freedom of research is deliberately undermined by the governing politicians, a development that we are horrified by. It is unbearable to see how knowledge institutions are dismantled and democracy is threatened.
But Sweden is not the United States – with us there is a long history of strong confidence in knowledge and science. Politicians need to guard this trust by strengthening the position of science, making decisions based on facts and protecting knowledge and education.
Our call to all politicians, regardless of political residence, is therefore: take research results seriously and let facts form the basis for the political decisions that are made. Confidence and respect for knowledge and science is a cornerstone of the democratic tradition that we all cherish. Knowledge is taken seriously is a prerequisite for a better future.
