September update: Science + Democracy
Science + Democracy: resources for you
Science and democracy are inextricably linked. Scientists seek answers to challenges that affect all of us; democratic governments support independent research, recognizing its value to public and environmental health.
Scientists’ voices will once again be critical in the upcoming midterm elections. They can campaign for pro-science candidates, demonstrate on behalf of science, and engage in other forms of scientific advocacy.
CSLDF is here to help mitigate the potential risks of engaging in scientific advocacy. Our Political Action Toolkit offers guides for participating in political campaigns and advocating for science within anti-lobbying laws. The toolkit also includes Know Your Rights: Scientific Activism & Protests, a guide we co-created with the ACLU to help researchers safely participate in protests and demonstrations.
We have also documented government attacks on science since the 2016 election in the Silencing Science Tracker, a joint initiative of CSLDF and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. This record not only highlights current attacks on science, but provides a record for one day holding bad actors accountable.
And, as always, you can reach out to us directly for free, confidential legal advice and support.
If you haven’t already, check your voter registration today and make a plan to vote by November 3, and encourage others to do the same.
Science and democracy are on the ballot this November. Together, we can defend both.
News & Events
GSA Connect 2026: Free Legal Consultations
October 11 – 14, 2026
Scientists attending GSA Connects 2026 can meet with a CSLDF attorney for free, confidential, 30-minute one-on-one legal consultations. Please email lawyer@csldf.org to sign up or with any questions.
GSA Connects 2026: Understanding the Legal Landscape for Scientific Research and Advocacy
October 12, 2026 | 10:30 AM MDT
Join CSLDF for a discussion on the current legal landscape for scientists and their research. Topics will include major trends in attacks on science and the rights and legal defenses available to researchers, including freedom of speech, academic freedom, and open records requests. We will also lay out best practices for scientists looking to protect themselves, their research, or their advocacy.
Inside the anti-climate campaign against researchers
September 25, 2026 | Chelsea Harvey, Lesley Clark, Corbin Hiar | Politico
Conservative organizations are filing dozens of open records requests at public universities–the latest strategy in a decades-long campaign to discredit climate scientists. “I have never seen this many open records requests in such a short time,” said Lauren Kurtz, CSLDF executive director. “There is a very concerted effort to derail the state climate litigation cases going on.”
“They’re pulling out all the stops”: Big Oil’s all-encompassing attacks on climate lawsuits
September 17, 2026 | Emily Sanders | Point Source
Industry allies are now coming after the scientists behind attribution studies. The campaign is designed to dig up information to tarnish scientists’ reputations and, “in the process, intimidate researchers into silence,” said Christopher Marchesano, CSLDF staff attorney.
Prosecution: A professor fired for teaching about human impact on climate?
September 17, 2026 | Simon Bérubé | Radio-Canada
An unprecedented culture of fear and apprehension has taken hold of the climate science community, argues Chris Marchesano, CSLDF staff attorney. “The number of scientists who come to us and face reprisals, censorship, or have questions about their fundamental rights continues to grow.”
As part of our reflection on 15 years of service, we have asked our board members, friends, and long-standing staff for their insights into what they’ve learned on the front lines of defending climate science.
“Co-founding this organization has shown me how tight-knit and supportive the climate science community is. We didn’t get our first foundation grant until years into the organization; CSLDF was built through years of volunteer hours and small donations from the climate science community. Those hours of time and $10, $25, and $100 checks are what created this organization.”
– CSLDF Board member and co-founder Josh Wolfe
15 years later, we continue to protect and defend science. Your support makes this possible. Please consider donating to help sustain our work during these turbulent times.