Bill Nye, star of the megahit "Science Guy" television show of the 90s, announced his public support of the March for Science in a blog post on Thursday. The April 22 march is billed as a call for the world to support and safeguard science in light of recent policy changes disrupting research at the Environmental Protection Agency, National Institutes of Health, NASA, and more. The event will include a teach-in and rally on the National Mall followed by a march through the streets of D.C.
Nye, whose new Netflix series will drop the day before (an air date set long before the march was planned, but presumably also intended to coincide with Earth Day, which is on April 22), will be at the event as a speaker and honorary co-chair. He explained his support for the march in a blog post for The Planetary Society, a science nonprofit of which he is currently the CEO.
The March for Science aligns with The Planetary Society's values, he said, and evokes the wishes of its late founder Carl Sagan. Nye studied under the legendary science communicator at Cornell, and believes __that marching in April is the right thing to do to uphold Sagan's legacy.
"He was a space science champion, advocate and communicator," Nye wrote. "He inspired the world to experience space science and delight in discoveries: achieved and within reach. His legacy lives on, through us: through you.” Science, Nye added, is universal—and space exploration, which is experiencing a bold new renaissance, brings out the very best in humanity.
“We march to inspire unity," Nye wrote. "When we explore the cosmos, we come together and accomplish extraordinary things. Space science brings people of all walks of life together to solve problems and experience the unparalleled awe of exploration. Everyone—regardless of race, gender, nationality, creed or ability—is welcome in our journey to advance space science.”