While all generations have exceptionally high trust in science (90% younger, 89% older), younger generations are more likely to say science is very important to their everyday lives (61% of Gen Z and Millennials, vs. 53% of Gen X and Baby Boomers). SOSI data shows people around the world looking to science to drive social impact, including solutions for sustainability, STEM equity and health care challenges.
'Every day, around the world, 3M employees work to unlock the power of people, ideas, and science to re-imagine what's possible and build what's next,' said
Maintaining trust in science despite misinformation
People around the world recognize there is widespread misinformation1 on social media (85%) and traditional media (72%), regardless of subject matter. So, while 90% of people surveyed say they trust science and 86% trust scientists, where they hear about science matters: 75% trust science-based facts in traditional news and only 44% trust science-based facts on social media. On a positive note, 83% want to hear more from scientists about their work-presenting the opportunity for direct communication on traditional and social platforms.
To address the consequences of misinformation in media, 3M is partnering with the
'Access to rigorous science reporting is as important as ever to meet the challenges of these times,' said
Addressing widespread misinformation is important because if we cannot trust news stories about science, survey respondents say there will be consequences, including:
More public health crises (61%)
Greater division within society (57%)
An increase in the severity of climate change effects (53%).
Despite these concerns, slightly more than half of respondents (52%) consider science to be very important to their everyday lives (vs. 44% in 2018). This perception shift may be aided by the desire for science to solve global challenges. Beyond the pandemic, respondents want science to prioritize solving for the effects of climate change (58%), clean water supply and sanitation (56%), air quality (55%) and equal access to quality health care (54%).
Climate change is getting personal
Climate change and its effects are showing up in personal ways for people around the world. A strong majority of survey respondents are concerned they or a loved one may be displaced from where they live in the future due to extreme weather related to climate change (79%). They also overwhelmingly report being more concerned today than they were a year ago about: climate change (74%), intensifying natural disasters (74%), ocean plastics pollution (73%) and air pollution (71%). To address these concerns, investing in innovations to mitigate the effects of climate change (47%) ranks as a top action for corporations to prioritize -second only to improving health care quality (50%).
'As the impacts of climate change grow and expand, 3M will continue collaborating with business partners, governments and international organizations on science-based solutions,' said
To date, 3M has reduced global water usage 10.7% and eliminated 19.7 million pounds of plastic waste. 3M's absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions are down 72% since 2002 and the company is approaching 50% renewable electricity at all global sites well ahead of its 2025 goal.
STEM gaps begin in education, remain through professional workforce
Across the globe, barriers to a strong STEM education are increasing. Thirteen of the 17 countries surveyed saw a year-over-year increase in the percentage of people who reported STEM education roadblocks, from
The implication of increasing STEM education barriers is significant, as education lays the foundation for future career opportunities. Survey respondents show particular concern for women and girls in STEM:
More needs to be done to encourage and keep women/girls engaged in STEM education (84%)
Women are a source of untapped potential in the STEM workforce (81%)
Women are leaving STEM positions because they do not receive enough support (66%)
Women/girls are more discouraged from pursuing engineering than other science fields (62%)
'Challenges around STEM equity begin at an early age for women and underrepresented minorities, and continue to snowball for those who choose to pursue STEM careers against all odds,' said
In 2021, 3M announced a global education-focused goal to advance economic equity by creating 5 million unique STEM and skilled trade learning experiences for underrepresented individuals by the end of 2025. To move toward this goal, 3M is joining forces with the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) to elevate the profile of women and minorities in STEM professions. Leveraging the Not the Science Type documentary, NMSI's team created middle and high school discussion guides focused on career pathways, intersectionality and forging ahead despite the societal stereotypes of scientists. NMSI offered watch parties to spur dialogue for teachers and classrooms across the nation about inclusion in science, particularly in districts with high percentages of underrepresented student populations.
Improving health access and advancing health equity
Improving access to quality health care is considered the number one priority for most countries surveyed (13 of 163) and people expect collaboration on solutions. Among the top actions people believe corporations should prioritize (beyond their core business purpose) are working with the health care industry and other entities to improve the quality of care (50%) and collaborating to address the root causes of health issues within underserved and underrepresented communities (47%). The same holds true for advancements relating to social justice and change that people say society should prioritize over the next five years: ensuring equal access to quality health care (78%) and addressing the non-traditional root causes of health disparity within underserved and underrepresented communities (69%).
Beyond funding programs,
Additionally,
According to SOSI respondents, health care is a key area where they are looking to science for solutions. On the whole, respondents believe that beyond the current pandemic, science should prioritize cures for chronic diseases (62%), cancer treatments (57%), vaccines for future pandemics (50%), addressing mental and emotional health issues (50%) and addressing root causes/social drivers of health issues (46%).
Knowing the power of science to uncover solutions-and the many challenges our world is looking to science to solve-3M is proud to stand up for scientists and support the next generations of STEM talent. By advocating for truth in science reporting, innovating to develop science-based sustainability solutions and collaborating to help health care equity, 3M can help create a brighter future for the planet and its people.
About the State of Science Index
The 3M State of Science Index is an annual study conducted for 3M by global research firm
About 3M
At 3M (NYSE: MMM), we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily as our employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M's creative solutions to global challenges at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.
State of Science Survey Methodology
The 3M State of Science Index presents original, independent, and nationally representative (based on census demographics) research, conducted by global research firm
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