For centuries, science has reduced human suffering. Scientists invented things that made our lives better, like pharmaceuticals, vaccinations, electricity, and so on. When scientists find a problem, they actively search for solutions to it.

But what happens when scientists find a problem, like climate change, that they think requires the public to change its behaviour? Then scientists are involved in a policy debate and have to deal with political interests.

However, is it appropriate for scientists to be involved in political debates? Should science remain a pure academic activity? Or should scientists continue to tackle problems wherever they can?

For that matter, the skills needed in the political world are very different than the skills needed in the scientific world. When scientists disagree, they gather more data. When politicians disagree, they negotiate and compromise. Do you think scientists were properly trained to enter the policy world?

What do you think happens when the worlds of politics and science collide?