Sure, many scientists work for PR firms of the fossil fuel industry, or worse. But they rarely make a public fuss about how awesome that is and how there should be more of that, right? That is what societal power would mean IMO, having respect and attention -- not working on evil shit in the "basement" of a corporation you can only talk about in layers of rationalizations and jargon in public, if even that. They may rake in the cash and then get respect for the things that buys, but not directly for who they are and what they do.

Whereas scientists that are alarmed by things like biodiversity loss and climate change really are pounding at our door, and have societal power in some circles but not on the whole, not enough, which is made clear by the outcomes.