A photo from the archives
Smithsonian Institution/Florence Haseltine
About

History

We’ve spent fifty proud years tackling the world’s most pressing issues.

Table of Contents

We’ve spent fifty proud years tackling the world’s most pressing issues.

The Union of Concerned Scientists was founded in 1969 by scientists and students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. That year, the Vietnam War was at its height and Cleveland’s heavily polluted Cuyahoga River had caught fire. Appalled at how the United States government was misusing science, the UCS founders, including Henry Kendall and Kurt Gottfried, drafted a statement calling for scientific research to be directed away from military technologies and toward solving pressing environmental and social problems.

We remain true to that founding vision. Throughout our history, UCS has followed the example set by the scientific community: we share information, seek the truth, and let our findings guide our conclusions.

It’s a powerful formula.

By mobilizing scientists and combining their voices with those of advocates, educators, business people, and other concerned citizens, UCS has built a reputation for fairness and accuracy and amassed an impressive history of accomplishments.

Founding documents

Major accomplishments

A truck drives through flooded water.
Wade Austin Ellis/Unsplash

UCS Successfully Advocates for US Loss and Damage Financing

At COP27 this year, countries agreed for the first time to finance a fund compensating vulnerable nations for climate-related loss and damage—a measure UCS advocated for via a joint letter from 143 organizations, and 10,000+ emails from UCS supporters.
Read the release
A wind turbine being assembled by a crew of workers.
NREL

UCS Research, Advocacy Inform Game-Changing US Climate Law

After decades of advocacy for a national plan to address climate change, UCS-backed legislation that invests billions to reduce global warming emissions is now law. This opportunity is a stepping stone to more progress for a climate-safe future for all.
Read the blog
An aerial view of cars driving over the Golden Gate bridge.
Denys Nevozhai/Unsplash

CA Vehicle Standards Go Further to Reduce Pollution, Fight Climate Change

California adopted a new set of standards requiring automakers to sell more zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV), including a target of 100% ZEV by 2035. UCS analysis and advocacy helped strengthen these pollution-reducing standards from less ambitious targets.
Read the blog
A power plant.
hector espinoza/Unsplash

Years of UCS Advocacy Pay Off with Historic MA Climate Bill

A robust climate bill is now law in Massachusetts, after a lengthy UCS campaign that showed its benefits for people and the economy. The law will help reduce emissions from power plants and vehicles, improving public health.
Read the statement
wind turbines and red barn in illinois
tlindenbaum/Flickr

Helped Pass Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in Illinois

The new law—which UCS tirelessly advocated for with the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition—sets a goal of 100% clean energy, while prioritizing environmental justice communities for pollution reductions.
Read blog
two lobbyists square off
Motortion Films/Shutterstock

Provided Expertise to Inform Landmark Court Ruling

A court in the Netherlands—which drew on UCS expertise—ordered Royal Dutch Shell to reduce its carbon emissions. This is the first time a company—much less a fossil fuel company—has been legally required to do so.
read blog
Uber and Lyft stickers in a car window
Elvert Barnes/Flickr

Ride-Hailing Will Go Electric in CA after UCS Advocacy

Responding to UCS analysis of ride-hailing's climate risks, California passed groundbreaking legislation that requires companies like Uber and Lyft to have 90% of miles traveled carbon-free by 2030. This will serve as a model for other states.
Read blog
Person working on freight truck.
USDA/Preston Keres

Pioneered New Truck Rules in California

After significant pressure from UCS and partners, California implemented a first-in-the-nation policy requiring a sales standard for electric, zero-emission freight trucks.
Read statement
An offshore wind turbine off the coast of Maine
Jplourde umaine/Wikimedia

Advised by UCS, Maine Signs Major Renewable Energy Bills

With UCS expertise and advocacy, Maine passed several bills setting clean energy goals that rank among the nation’s most ambitious.
Read more

Pushed California toward 100 Percent Clean Energy

After many years of UCS providing visionary technical expertise to prove it was possible, California passed a bill requiring that 100 percent of its electricity come from clean, renewable sources by 2045.
Read Blog