Hundreds of people gathered at Waterfront Park in Woods Hole Friday as part of the Stand Up for Science rallies held around the world in response to the Trump administration’s federal funding cuts in scientific research and diversity equity and inclusion initiatives.
Jim Newman, one of the organizers of the event and an engineer who has worked in oceanography, said it is important for the Woods Hole community to take part because of how integral scientific institutions are to the village.
“We heard about this national effort and said we got to do something in Woods Hole. How could we not, given who we are?” Mr. Newman said. “The world of science is under attack. There are drastic cuts being threatened…It’s very local because science is a huge part of Woods Hole.”
Cuts made by the administration have already hit the village, though the extent isn’t known. According to scientific leaders in Woods Hole, several scientists were terminated on Feb. 27 as part of the lay-offs spearheaded by Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, including employees at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Max Holmes, the president and CEO of Woodwell Climate Research Center, a climate research center in Woods Hole, said he felt it was important to speak out because the work being done in Woods Hole helps people across the globe.
“We’re all in difficult positions. Deciding when and where to use your voice is challenging. We decided to speak out for climate science,” he said. “The science we do, all of the science in Woods Hole, is for everybody regardless of political affiliation. That’s the focus, science that’s for everybody.”
Seven scientists gave speeches, including John Holdren, who was the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the Obama administration.
Mr. Holdren said that cuts to scientific research could be devastating for Woods Hole, which is home to six science-centered institutions: the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woodwell, the USGS Coastal and Marine Science Center, and the Sea Education Association.
“I think we all understand that the loss of jobs and income from federal cuts on our science institutions could translate quickly into a wider impact on the local economy,” he said. Both U.S. Rep. Bill Keating and state Rep. Thomas Moakley spoke to the crowd. Mr. Keating spoke to the importance of the expertise in Woods Hole in fighting environmental disasters.
Attendees expressed concerns about federal cuts.
— Addison Antonoff
“In Woods Hole right here, we’re first responders. When there’s a disaster environmentally, like the BP oil spill, who do they call on? It’s the people that are here that are responsible for the cleanup and protection of our environment,” he said. “We’re standing up for them today because they are collateral damage of a bigger issue…they are being threatened with their jobs at a time when all they want to do is make our country, our communities in this world, safer.”
The crowd filled the park and spilled into the sidewalk across the street to listen to the speakers.
People from outside the world of scientific research, including art teachers and financial analysts, came to support. Dawna Hammers, a songwriter and music teacher, said that she came to the event for her granddaughter.
“I just became a grandmother and I want to make sure there’s a world for her. Clean water and air and technology to cure diseases,” she said.
Several members of the crowd were concerned about potential cuts at the National Weather Service as well as further cuts at NOAA. Gary Brooke, who relies on weather forecasts and climate information for his work in lawn maintenance and when he surfs, says that it would be dangerous to cut such services.
“They prepare us for tsunamis and tornadoes and hurricanes,” he said. “They protect us.”
