It’s time we asked an important question: who needs cold, unfeeling objectivity when you’re saving the world from a climate apocalypse? Apparently not climate scientists, according to the recently published article in Nature Climate Change by Schipper, Maharaj, and Pecl. This manifesto—masquerading as a scientific commentary—argues that emotions, anxieties, and grievances belong in the laboratory, right next to the Bunsen burners and climate models. Because, why not?
The piece begins with a bold premise: “The dominant paradigm holding that science is always objective needs to be challenged.” And challenged it is! Objectivity, the bedrock of scientific inquiry, is brushed aside as an oppressive relic of a bygone era. Why? Because, they claim, suppressing emotions weakens climate science. How, exactly? They don’t explain that, but their assertions are thick with the aroma of self-righteous victimhood.
A Sob Story in a Lab Coat
The authors tell us that climate scientists are just regular folks, cycling between despair and hope, burdened by their special “curse of foresight.” Apparently, only these enlightened individuals can see the inevitable doom awaiting us, making their despair not just understandable but noble. And if the rest of us dare question their emotional outbursts or point out their activist leanings? That’s just more proof of how society marginalizes their feelings.
They even invoke the specter of “Climategate,” the 2009 scandal that revealed dubious practices within the climate research community. Rather than reflect on why public trust eroded after those revelations, the authors bemoan how unfair it was for scientists to face scrutiny. Being held accountable? How dare anyone suggest that transparency matters more than their fragile egos!
When Victimhood Becomes Virtue
Of course, this isn’t just about emotions. No modern narrative is complete without the obligatory nod to systemic oppression. The article laments the lack of equity, inclusion, and diversity in climate science, pointing fingers at dominant “Global North male voices.” Apparently, marginalized groups within the field don’t just need a seat at the table; they also need their “perspectives and worries” amplified because their emotional experiences are inherently more valuable than mere data. […]
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