You’re Hired! Are America’s Climate Innovators Moving to Europe?
As the EU’s science commissioner says he might join the March for Science, a French presidential candidate calls on US climate innovators to move to Europe.
In a video statement posted to Twitter last week (9 February), Emmanuel Macron says he knows the new US president is “extremely skeptical about climate change,” and plans to cut science budgets.
As one of the front runners in the upcoming election in April, Macron says he has a message “for American researchers, entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers working on climate change.”
The politician, who describes himself as business-friendly and socially liberal, invites “you guys” to “join European and French researchers to work on climate change here. Because here, you are welcome.”
“Please come to France, you are welcome, it’s your nation, we like innovation,” he says, “We want innovative people, we want people working on climate change, energy, renewables and new technologies. France is your nation.”
I have a message for you guys. #ScienceMarch pic.twitter.com/ZnkFIIksdx
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 10, 2017
March for Science
Macron included the global March for Science hashtag in his tweet, a reference to a pro-science protest scheduled for 22 March in Washington DC and cities around the world.
The French politician’s statement followed a tweet earlier that day by EU science commissioner Carlos Moedas which also featured the #ScienceMarch hashtag. “I love science,” he said, “We shouldn’t fear science, we should praise it!”
Moedas’ tweet includes a link to an interview with Science|Business in which he says he could be joining the protest himself. “I’d love if some of the organisers would contact me with more information – I could show up as someone who really loves science,” he said.
I ❤ science. We shouldn’t fear science, we should praise it! #ScienceMarch https://t.co/vt3wciL8nS
— Carlos Moedas (@Moedas) February 9, 2017
In his video statement, Macron also tells European and French researchers that he would do what it takes to deliver the Paris climate accord. “We will reinforce our public and private investment in order to do more and accelerate our initiative.”
Macron stresses he has “no doubt about climate change, and about how committed we have to be regarding this issue.”
Students
And it is not just established engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs who are welcome in Europe.
One EU initiative actively calling on talented American students to come to Europe is Climate-KIC, a partnership of universities, businesses and public organisations working on climate change solutions.
US students can apply to take part Climate-KIC’s “The Journey,” Europe’s largest summer school for climate innovation and entrepreneurship that takes students on a tour of some of the continent’s most renowned research institutions, startup incubators and businesses.
The course offers “a unique combination of climate knowledge and hands-on business experience,” according to the summer school website, which explains students will be founding their own startup during the course.
Find out how the EU’s Climate-KIC supports entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers working on climate change in Europe.