Robert R. Kuehn

Suppression of Environmental Science

As the role of science in resolving environmental policy disputes increases in importance, attacks on scientists as a means of suppressing unwanted environmental scientific research also appear to be increasing. This article documents the scope and methods of suppression of environmental scientists, describing both surveys of scientists and anecdotal evidence. It then examines some of the laws relating to suppression of environmental science, in particular laws relating to defamation, research misconduct, and employer retaliation. The article analyzes both the ways laws are used to suppress scientific speech and the ways they may be used to protect and promote such speech. The article concludes that greater efforts, including the support of institutions and professional societies, are necessary to deter the suppression of environmental science.