Biden environmental challenge: Filling vacant scientist jobs

(AP) — Federal data shows that ranks of scientists who carry out environmental research, enforcement, and other jobs fell sharply in some agencies under the former President. Government scientists say that many veteran staffers retired, quit, or moved to other agencies amid pressure from an administration they regarded as hostile to science and beholden to industry.

That poses a challenge for President Joe Biden, who must rebuild a demoralized work force to meet promises to protect the environment, tackle climate change, and reduce pollution. Hundreds of scientists have left the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That is hampering everything from enforcing rules against polluters to finishing vital climate research.