Professor Andrew Weaver was elected as MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head on Vancouver Island in 2013 and would go on to become the leader of the Green Party of British Columbia from 2015 – 2020. Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Andrew attended the University of Victoria for his BSc in Physics and Mathematics with a particular interest in particle physics. However, while studying at Cambridge university, he was exposed to fields of fluid dynamics, numerical analysis, and atmospheric & oceanic physics . “I was quite excited by these fields as they allowed me to use my skills in mathematics and physics to understand contemporary problems in climate science. I felt that these problems had more pressing societal relevance (I enjoy working on problems that can make a difference in the everyday lives of people).” This led Andrew to pursue his PhD at the University of British Columbia in Applied Mathematics pertaining to ocean, atmosphere, and climate science. He maintained his academic interest in these areas after joining the University of Victoria in 1992, where he has served as Canada Research Chair in Climate Modelling and Analysis, and as Lansdowne Professor in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences. Andrew has become an established name in climate science, serving as a lead author on the 2^nd to 5^th reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and publishing more than 200 papers in the field.

Running on Climate

Andrew is one of the few scientists to make a very drastic leap from academia to politics, and we were curious as to how he so successfully made that transition. Naturally, and somewhat unsurprisingly (he is Prof. Weaver, after all), it started in the classroom.

 “I have given hundreds of lectures on the science of global warming. Students and members of the public in my classes and lectures would invariably ask: ‘What can I do to make a difference?’. I would respond that there are three things anyone and everyone can do:

1. Use your purchasing power to send a signal to the market by buying products that when produced, delivered, or used, are low greenhouse-gas emitting.
2. Exercise your right to vote and ensure you vote for someone who is willing to put in place the policy measures required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Education: tell everyone you know to go and do 1) and 2).”

I’d then show the figure (below) illustrating Canadian voter turnout as a function of time (now updated to include the 2015 and 2019 general elections). I’d talk about the fact that global warming is not really an issue that will affect seniors over the age of 65 and that 70-80% of this demographic typically vote. I’d suggest that it is important for those who will inherit the consequences of today’s decisions (or lack thereof) to participate in our democratic process to ensure that their interests (the long-term consequences) are incorporated into decision-making. If they didn’t like the names on the ballot, then they should consider running themselves or encouraging someone to run that they can support.” Eventually, Andrew felt he had to take his own advice, and was elected MLA in 2013.

Figure 1: Canadian Voter Turnout as a Function of Time (taken with permission from University of Victoria EOS365 lecture slides)

Find a problem, propose a solution

When it came to getting Andrew’s take on his experience working as an MLA, he suggests his STEM research experience made him aware of the dangers of simply critiquing poor policy decisions. “As I tell my graduate students, it’s easy to criticize someone else’s work – but that doesn’t help advance knowledge. Rather than simply criticizing, you should ask what you would do instead, or how you would make things better. This is precisely how I approached politics. Find a problem, propose a solution. Didn’t like a government policy? Propose an amendment or an alternate policy.” However, his evidence-based approach to decision making also formed a large part of why he believes we need more STEM backgrounds in politics. “There are tons of lawyers in politics. In law, the person with the most compelling argument wins the debate; in science, it’s the person with the best data or theory that wins the debate. We need more evidence-based decision-making and less decision-based evidence-making.”

A sense of civic duty, with everyone at the table

Most people believe that the main aspect of having STEM-trained elected officials comes in their ability to engage in evidence-based decision-making, as highlighted above. However, Andrew believes there are also positives that extend beyond this and have a knock-on effect on the political system as a whole. “We also need more people entering politics who don’t believe it should be a career path, but rather a sense of civic duty. STEM researchers have a tendency of thinking along the lines of doing what is right, not doing what will get you reelected.”

An avid fan of rugby and a soccer coach, Andrew also values teamwork when it comes to making well-educated policy. This is common amongst other STEM-based politicians we’ve interviewed, emphasizing that a diverse team of politicians creates balanced and well-thought policies. STEM backgrounds are a major part of that team. “By electing more people with a STEM background – typically they would be good communicators, or they wouldn’t get elected – you will get more people at the decision-making table that can ‘translate’ STEM subtleties to others. It’s the same reason why you need a couple of lawyers at the table, some with expertise in social issues, etc. Each person brings their own tool kit to the decision-making table. If everyone has the same tools, you will be limited in your ability construct policy and solutions. When you have very different tool kits at the table, you can build much more, be far more creative, and see through problems from more diverse perspectives.”

Global Warming: where science and policy meet

Given his extensive background in climate science, it was the concept and future consequences of global warming that pushed Andrew to run. However, he encourages everyone with STEM training to see global warming and other major societal issues as a motivation to get involved in the democratic process. “Global warming is the reason why I ran. We know what the problem is. It is huge and frankly a threat to human civilization. We know what the solutions are (including transformation of energy systems); what is missing is political will. Climate scientists have largely done their job. Now it’s time for politicians to do theirs. But they aren’t. So as a scientist you can sit around and complain about it or get engaged in our democratic institutions. I chose the latter.”

We urge all of members of our STEM community to choose the latter as well!

To look into one of Andrew’s key legislative accomplishments to lower greenhouse gases in BC, visit https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/

To learn why Andrew chose to go back to teaching science instead of being an active politician, watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYIMqmtuvxM