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More than 500 "March for Science" demonstrations took place around the U.S. and the world on Saturday in response to what protesters view as a rising trend in challenging widely-accepted scientific evidence and facts.
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Scientists, teachers and students took part in the marches calling for more science-based decision making, including environmental protections related to climate change.
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Speakers at the marches, which included famous science educator
Bill Nye the Science Guy
, criticized President Donald Trump's proposals to cut funding to scientific research and rollback environmental protections, such as the president's campaign promise that he'd withdraw from the 2015
Paris Agreement
. The agreement was signed by 195 countries, including the U.S., and pledges a number of environmental protections.
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President Trump said in a written statement on Saturday that he is committed to protecting the environment while preserving working families' jobs and businesses. Trump has not said whether or not the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris Agreement, according to New York Times reporter Coral Davenport.
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Essential question
: What is the significance of scientists taking part in the March for Science?
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What cuts to environmental policies has President Donald Trump proposed so far? What is his reasoning for these cuts?
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Why do Trump's environmental policies give many Americans cause for concern?
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Did you or someone you know take part in the March for Science? What was their reason for attending?
Extension activities:
Watch the PBS NewsHour story
Scientists consider running for office
and discuss the role scientists should play in politics.
