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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.
Major accomplishments
![Smoke rising from the forest floor](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2023-04/wildfire-burn-thumbnail.jpg?itok=GRwiFU3_)
UCS Research Points Finger at Big Oil for Western Wildfires
![A group of people hold signs showing support for frontline communities.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2023-12/Copy-of-Blog-Lead-Image-Template-16.jpg?itok=BnS0WtTj)
UCS and Partners Move Toward Environmental Justice in Minnesota
![A USDA scientist inspects grains.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2023-02/1500-900-usda-scientist.jpg?itok=ZDFcoGp6)
Decades of UCS Work Reflected in White House Guidance
![A truck drives through flooded water.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-12/1500-900-flood-truck.jpg?itok=1K45v3nB)
UCS Successfully Advocates for US Loss and Damage Financing
![A wind turbine being assembled by a crew of workers.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-08/nrel-turbine-assembly.jpg?itok=EVFdArGJ)
UCS Research, Advocacy Inform Game-Changing US Climate Law
![An aerial view of cars driving over the Golden Gate bridge.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-12/1500-900-sf-bridge.jpg?itok=qAYbs5bn)
CA Vehicle Standards Go Further to Reduce Pollution, Fight Climate Change
![A power plant.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-12/1500-900-power-plant.jpg?itok=hLcAnR11)
Years of UCS Advocacy Pay Off with Historic MA Climate Bill
![wind turbines and red barn in illinois](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/images/energy-renewable-wind-turbines-barn-illinois.jpg?itok=ejeuEBWI)
Helped Pass Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in Illinois
![two lobbyists square off](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2021-12/lobbyists.jpg?itok=uKZys1q4)
Provided Expertise to Inform Landmark Court Ruling
![Uber and Lyft stickers in a car window](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2020-06/1500-900-ride-share-stickers.jpg?itok=W-fJDOeX)