Union of Concerned Scientists

@ucs.org

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The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. ucs.org

Promotional graphic for a Union of Concerned Scientists YouTube livestream titled “Danger Season Update: Marine Heatwaves & El Niño.” The image features a hazy city skyline with text inviting viewers to join experts discussing extreme heat, marine heatwaves, El Niño, and volatile weather. Scheduled for Tuesday, July 21 at 6 p.m. ET on YouTube (@unionofconcernedscientists)
Graphic with white text on a black background above a black-and-white protest photo. The text states: “ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have a long and growing history of using excessive and deadly force, presenting false narratives, and refusing to hold officers accountable. We are joining more than 130 groups in asking Congress to hold them accountable.” Below, a large crowd holds signs and a banner reading “NO MORE ICE KILLINGS.” The Union of Concerned Scientists logo appears at the bottom, along with a photo credit to Ryan Murphy/Stringer/Getty.
Science Rising national call, “How to Be Courageous in an Age of Fear,” featuring authors Ami Fields-Meyer and Julia Angwin discussing their book. July 14, 3–4 p.m. EST. Registration link included.
Graphic includes the headline "How to be Courageous in an Age of Fear" and has 2 headshots of the featured guests, Ami Fields-Meyer and Julia Angwin. They will be discussing their new book on July 14, 3-4p EDT
Promotional graphic for a Science Rising national call, “How to be Courageous in an Age of Fear,” featuring authors Ami Fields-Meyer and Julia Angwin discussing their book On Courage: How to Be a Dissident in an Age of Fear. Event takes place Tuesday, July 14, 3:00–4:00 PM EST, with registration at act.ucsusa.org/Courage.
Vote No on AB1436 because it costs taxpayers money, risks jobs and infrastructure, harms California's EV leadership, and means more air pollution.
UCS Scientist Dr. Jessica Dunn testifying in Congress
Alt description (for visually impaired users): A color-coded weather map of Texas and nearby parts of the southern United States showing apparent temperature (heat index) values for the afternoon of Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 5 PM EDT. The map uses a gradient scale at the top ranging from -10 to 130+ degrees Fahrenheit, with colors transitioning from light purple and blue (cooler) to yellow, orange, and deep red (extreme heat). Most of the map is shaded in orange to deep red, indicating very high heat index values. Across Texas, the majority of cities are labeled with temperatures between 104°F and 115°F, with even higher values in the southern and coastal regions: Central Texas (including Austin and surrounding areas): around 110°F to 113°F Dallas–Fort Worth area: approximately 107°F to 109°F East Texas: around 105°F to 110°F West Texas: roughly 99°F to 108°F The hottest area is South Texas, especially along the lower Rio Grande Valley: Cities near the southern border show extreme values of 117°F to 122°F These areas are shaded in the darkest red, indicating the highest heat index levels on the map Along the Texas Gulf Coast, temperatures range from about 100°F to 108°F, slightly cooler than inland southern areas but still very hot. Parts of neighboring states (such as Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico) are also visible, showing similar but slightly lower heat index values, mostly between 100°F and 110°F. At the bottom of the image, text reads: “Apparent Temperature valid at: Thu, Jun 18 2026, 5 PM EDT” “National Digital Forecast Database” “Issued: Jun 17 2026, 1:30 PM EDT” NOAA and National Weather Service logos appear in the lower corners. Overall, the map depicts widespread extreme heat conditions across Texas, with dangerous heat index values especially concentrated in the southern portion of the state.
Quote by Dr. Gretchen Goldman, president of UCS: “This is a win for science and for ensuring that all visitors to our national parks can learn the truth about our nation’s history and climate.”
Infographic titled “Extreme Heat Planning Timeline” showing three stages—Pre-Season, A Few Days Out, and During and After—with checklists for preparing for heat, including building an emergency kit, gathering supplies, staying cool, checking on others, and drinking water. See more at: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat
Heat risk map of the United States showing widespread moderate to major heat (orange to red) across the South, Midwest, and East, with the most intense areas from Texas through the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic; lighter risk (yellow) in parts of the West and northern states.
Image of the Earth by NOAA/NASA
A red-and-white ocean buoy labeled “RAMA” floats in choppy water in the foreground, equipped with tall metal instruments and sensors, while a research ship sits in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
Line chart of global sea surface temperature by month. The x‑axis shows months from January to December, and the y‑axis shows temperature in °C (about 19.8–21.2°C). Many thin gray lines represent yearly temperatures from 1991–2022. Three highlighted lines show recent years: 2023 (yellow), 2024 (orange), and 2025 (light red). A darker red line labeled 2026 tracks the current year. All recent years sit above most historical gray lines, indicating warmer oceans. The 2026 line rises early in the year to just over 21°C around March–April, then gradually declines but remains higher than most past years. Labels include “Data: GLO12, ESA CCI” and Copernicus program logos at the bottom.
Diagram showing where excess heat from climate change goes. Most excess energy (89%) is absorbed by the ocean, while smaller portions warm land (6%), ice/cryosphere (4%), and the atmosphere (1%). The graphic also shows greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O), incoming sunlight, outgoing infrared radiation, and impacts like rising sea level, melting sea ice, coral bleaching, hurricanes, and declining marine diversity.
Alt text: Promotional graphic for “Science Rising” national launch featuring a colorful outline of the United States with bold “Science Rising” text, Union of Concerned Scientists logo, and event details: “Today at 3 P.M. EST, sciencerising.org.”
Promotional event graphic with a blue-to-orange gradient background over a faint U.S. map. Large bold text reads “Science Rising.” Above it: “The Union of Concerned Scientists invites you to join the public launch of.” Below: “as we rise to protect science and democracy!” Event details: Wednesday, June 3, 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET. Three circular headshots appear at the bottom with names and titles: Arati Prabhakar (former White House OSTP Director), Erica Chenoweth (Harvard Kennedy School professor), and Gretchen Goldman (UCS president and CEO). Footer reads: “RSVP at sciencerising.org.”
“The public is asking for transportation investments that give families more options for getting around. What the committee released looks like the highway contractors’ wish list—no surprise given the influence D.C. trade groups have exerted over infrastructure policy." -tatement from Steven Higashide, the director of the Clean Transportation Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS):
Quote from a blog by Joseph Reed, Policy Director at the Union of Concerned Scientists: "Federal scientific work must be independent and free from political interference, censorship, retaliation, or intimidation...Scientific integrity policies don’t just protect scientists—they protect all of us. "
Quote from UCS's Dr. carlos Martinez: "The proposed changes reflect the deliberate effort to redefine the scope of NCAR’s scientific mission. That redefinition has major implications to our public safety, national security, and economic prosperity..." 
Quote by Julian Reyes, UCS's Chief of Staff: "President Trump’s plan to diminish our knowledge about wildfires—especially going into a super El Niño year with significant drought risk—isn’t smart."
Image of a scientist working on a lab, with the message "Thank you, public servants!" in the context of Public Service Recognition Week
Sign inviting to join to May Day 2026, promoting the site maydaystrong.org
An image of a megaphone with a caption bubble coming out of it that says: "We deserve a Democracy that works for us."
Photo of Earth by Artemis II, promoting the Union of Concerned Scientist's mission:"Science for a healthier planet and safer world" Every day of the year.
Graphic promoting May Day action day: It’s Workers Over Billionaires On May 1, 2026, workers, students, and families rally, march, and take action across the country to demand a nation that puts workers over billionaires, with many refusing business as usual through No School. No Work. No Shopping.
Julian Reyes, UCS's chief of staff, visiting the studios of 1A from NPR.
"Visual of the AMOC, which is an ocean circulation that transports warm, fresh water from the Equator to the North Atlantic and cold, salty water from the North Atlantic to the Equatorial region."
Graphic with a quote of Julian Reyes, Chief of Staff at UCS. The graphic includes the image of Smokey the Bear: “My own experience as a civil servant at USDA working directly with Forest Service R&D scientists tells me this relocation is bad for the American people, bad for American producers and foresters, and bad for rural communities.
Statement by Dr. Tara Drozdenko, director of the Global Security Program at UCS". “Threats of indiscriminate violence are unacceptable, whether they come from nuclear or conventional weapons,” said Dr. Drozdenko. “As scientists, as members of our communities, and as Americans, we must join together to express our collective outrage and demand our elected officials step in to constrain the dangerous and illegal actions of the Trump administration.”
Graphic with aphoto of UCS staff showing support for the No Kings rallies across the US, on Saturday, March 28.
Cover of the Varieties of Democracy Project's new report. Shows a person with a US flag with the message S.O.S.
Funding the Future, a zine focused on the important issue of STR. Learn how you can support a cleaner, fairer, and more human-centered future reading the zine.
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) invites you to a virtual discussion to celebrate the launch of Funding the Future, a zine focused on the important issue of STR. Join us to learn the basics of STR and find out how you can use the zine to advocate for a better transportation future. Date: Wednesday, March 25 Time: 6:00–7:00 p.m. ET / 3:00–4:00 p.m. PT Featuring Special Guest Speaker: Steven Higashide, Director, Clean Transportation Program, UCS
"Graphic illustrating Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) technology. An illustration shows energy flow between an EV and a home. Includes a quote by Sam Houston of UCS describing EVs as clean, quiet backup power generators during outages."
Picture of Jim O'Neill. Trump's nominee to lead the National Science Foundation: -Not a scientist -Former deputy to RFK -Threat to scientific integrity
Promotional graphic for “MindLab Weekly Mindfulness Sessions” featuring stacked stones over water, circular photos of meditation and a group session, event details (Wednesdays 11:30 am–12:00 pm EST through December 2026), a QR code, and logos for AHAM Education, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Environmental Protection Network.
Join us for our annual maple event! Come together to share a big part of what makes NH special at the 2026 Climate Impacts Maple Dinner with special guest Andrew Chisholm of Chisholm Maple Farm in Hampstead. Andrew currently serves as president of the NH Maple Producers Association. Time Thursday, March 26 5 – 7:30pm EDT Location Lakes Region Community College 379 Belmont Rd Laconia, NH 03246
Quote by Dr. Carlos Martinez, Senior Scientist at UCS:“UCS strongly urges NSF to preserve NCAR as an intact national research center...recognizing that dismantling or fragmenting this proven model would undermine one of the nation’s most important scientific institutions."
The Union of Concerned Scientists invites scientists and experts to a training webinar to discuss what science advocacy looks like today. Learn how you can use your voice and expertise to advocate on key issues such as climate change or public health policies. Date: Thursday, March 12 Time: 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET
Graphic promoting Stand Up For Science event, with the Take Back Our Science legend and invitation to participate on National Day of Action on March 7. With the link: standupforscience.net/march7