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.
Major accomplishments
![Person working on freight truck.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2020-06/1500-900-freight-truck.jpg?itok=D-CcfkRi)
Pioneered New Truck Rules in California
![An offshore wind turbine off the coast of Maine](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2019-10/umaine-offshore-turbine.jpg?itok=w-7DK3cH)
Advised by UCS, Maine Signs Major Renewable Energy Bills
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/attach/Timeline/ucsusa_57420550.jpg?itok=1mg8H7HP)
Pushed California toward 100 Percent Clean Energy
![Three individuals with stamp withdrawn in yellow](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2020-03/withdrawnpic-1500x900.jpg?itok=ndVl0pcu)
Blocked Anti-Science Nominees from the Trump Administration
![A waterfront property for sale sign submerged in flood waters](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2020-03/waterfront-for-sale-sign-submerged-in-flood-waters.jpg?itok=yRn1SPoo)
Showcased the Threat to Coastal Properties from Climate-Driven Sea Level Rise
![North Korea map with red push pin](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2020-03/nuclear-m-north-korea-map-1500x900.jpg?itok=XbiBx9Yi)
Provided Crucial, Independent Analysis of the North Korean Missile Program
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/attach/Timeline/ucsusa_45976724.jpg?itok=AH0I_2O6)
Forced ExxonMobil to Acknowledge Climate Change in its Business Plans
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/attach/Timeline/ucsusa_12222411.jpg?itok=WpRkaI56)
Expanded Clean Energy in the Midwest
![White semi truck on highway with sunrise](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2020-03/white-semi-truck-on-highway-sunrise.jpg?itok=IU5ymCGs)
Secured Fuel Efficiency Standards for Big Trucks
![A file folder with red "not science" stamp covered in black oil](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2020-03/gw-misinformation-deception-report-cover-headline-1500x900.jpg?itok=cA63bF03)