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We’ve spent 50 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
UCS Research, Advocacy Inform Game-Changing U.S. Climate Law
Helped Pass Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in Illinois
Provided Expertise to Inform Landmark Court Ruling
Ride-Hailing Will Go Electric in CA after UCS Advocacy
Pioneered New Truck Rules in California
Pushed California toward 100 Percent Clean Energy
Showcased the Threat to Coastal Properties from Climate-Driven Sea Level Rise
Blocked Anti-Science Nominees from the Trump Administration
Provided Crucial, Independent Analysis of the North Korean Missile Program
Forced ExxonMobil to Acknowledge Climate Change in its Business Plans
