It’s April 1st. April Fools (which, may have started to mock those who didn’t want to change to a new, more-fact-based, calendar) and we are kicking off our April fund raising campaign. April is also the month when Galileo was tried for heresy. Marking the end of the Italian Renaissance.
What better time than the rebirth of spring to reintroduce fresh thought and open dialogue to our realm? We at Science for Georgia support evidence-based observations and intend to use all funds generated by this campaign in the name of truth.
It is easy to mash together plausible half-truths, but it takes time, money, and research to rebut misinformation with an evidence-based, pithy, and equally catchy response.
We can’t stand up and say, “Lord what fools these mortals be.” We must engage in dialogue. We can’t just cancel – we need to converse – and that requires events, trust building, and education.
Because if you feel persecuted right now, how does the other side feel when you just call them fools?
“The second thing we do is silence all the scientists.” Amy the Sharma, 2025.
Around here we are asking ourselves, “What year is it?”
2017? 1966? 1932? 1917? 1789? 1633? 1492? We find ourselves, again, stuck in a rising tide of misinformation and attacks on information sources that accompany power shifts. When those speaking “for the people” attempt to silence those whose disagree with them by calling them “elitists.”
The key to a vibrant democracy, and functioning scientific community, is meaningful, open, dialogue. But when people feel attacked, even those with the best intentions tend to dig in, stop listening, and just shout louder in return. We are only human.
We are naturally curious; we are naturally skeptical. And when people say things that we disagree with such as “the earth is flat” “veggies are clown food” and “vaccines will kill you” – instead of dismissing them with “lord, what fools these mortals be” we can engage them in dialogue. And Science for Georgia has been on a journey to teach your how.
This month, in a mash-up, we will follow Galileo as he argues the earth is indeed round, using evidence-based methods to confront and combat misinformation.
Is EJ a Dirty Word?
You may have noticed that some words these days are taboo – such as “Justice” and “Climate” and “Women” and “Equity”
A lot of people are losing their funding due to this. Sci4Ga is not immune. Valdosta State University has asked our annual Environmental Justice and Climate Protection Conference to relocate. We are furiously searching for a new venue, and we would like to stay in Valdosta. This conference will happen.
Upcoming April Events
April is also Earth Month – and we need to continue to highlight that the environment is intertwined with our health and economy.
Apr 5 – DeKalb Concert for Climate Justice
Apr 10 – Monthly Membership meeting – our monthly phone call where you can help make #ScienceMattersHere
Apr 15 – Data Mapping for Change. See how our data maps are being used to empower people with the evidence needed to create change.
Apr 20 – Citizen Science. Our monthly water testing at Everett Park.
Apr 23 – EJ Jams: an Arts and Environmental Justice Event at Oakland Cemetary.
March Highlights
Wondering what your donations support? In March alone we hosted:
Mar 9 – A Scoop of Science. Our annual ASF event that gets to the bottom of the really important things – like “What is ice cream?” Check it out here.
Mar 13 – Sustainable Concrete. If concrete was a country, it would be the third largest carbon dioxide producer behind the US and China. We can do better. And we had an event to showcase a new method to do so.
Mar 16 – Citizen Science! Monthly Water Testing at Everett Park on the South River.
Mar 22 – Emergency Preparedness Workshop in Stonecrest. Thank you to Emory for a grant, and Salam-Panola Library for hosting us to empower people with the tools needed to feel prepared.
Mar 27 – A fantastic Climate Survival Training about getting your summer garden on track.
Mar 29 – not one – but two events! An Environmental Justice Town Hall with Commissioner Ted Terry’s staff and New Life Community Alliance and a Community Gardening Workshop with our friends at Southside Environmental Justice Alliance.
The Legislative Session – is still happening. We made great progress in starting conversations and getting some bills introduced, but not a lot made it past crossover. So it’s time to start advocating over the summer. But first, naps.
