It’s time to bring back science in campaign policy discussions

Living in the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesotans know the importance of water. This is reflected in the Walz administration’s recent protection act to halt non-iron (nonferrous) mining in the Boundary Waters. Yet, this protection act is impermanent, and a future Minnesota governing body could overturn it. Within the last 10 years alone, nonferrous mining has been banned and reinstated multiple times, typically shifting with the governing power at both federal and state levels. Mining proponents often point to increasing critical mineral demands used for technology and job opportunities, while opponents are concerned about water pollution from heavy metals. Understanding the scientific basis of candidates’ viewpoints is important because it impacts policy decisions like mining in the Boundary Waters and the future of water in this state. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough accessible, nonpartisan information for voters to know how candidates will approach the science and technology