Statement by Alden Meyer, Union of Concerned Scientists The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (or Rio+20) ends today with leaders and ministers from more than 190 countries endorsing a political declaration on “the Future We Want.” …
Statement by Justin Tatham, Union of Concerned Scientists WASHINGTON (June 21, 2012) – After a marathon week of debate, the Senate passed the farm bill—the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act (S. 3240)—today by a bipartisan vote of 64 – 35. …
Current Drought Conditions Already ‘Exceptional’ Early in Summer Season ATLANTA, GEORGIA (June 5, 2012) – The Oconee River is running so low, that if the new coal-fired power plant proposed in Washington County, Plant Washington, were up and running …
Report Finds Limited Prospects for Genetically Engineered Crops to Combat Drought and Conserve Water WASHINGTON (June 5, 2012)— Monsanto’s new drought tolerant corn, DroughtGard, reduces crop losses only modestly during moderate droughts, and will not …
Statement by Doug Boucher WASHINGTON (May 25, 2012) – Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced today that she is vetoing some of the controversial amendments to the country’s Forest Code that would have substantially weakened the country’s forest …
Lack of Political Will Hinders Progress WASHINGTON (May 25, 2012) – The United Nations climate negotiations in Bonn, Germany concluded today with little progress made in addressing climate change. Too much attention was focused on how to structure the …
Statement by Lisbeth Gronlund, Union of Concerned Scientists WASHINGTON (May 24, 2012) – This afternoon the White House nominated Allison Macfarlane, a nuclear waste expert, to replace Gregory Jaczko as chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. …
(CHICAGO) May 24, 2012 -- Local community leaders held a press conference at Kluczynski Plaza today to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to move forward with a federal carbon standard for new power plants. Speakers at the event also …
WASHINGTON (May 17, 2012) – The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing today on the Clean Energy Standard Act – a bill that the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) describes as “ needing improvement , but providing a path forward …
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (April 30, 2012)—The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) today announced two launch events for its new Center for Science and Democracy. The East Coast and West Coast events will feature interactive panel discussions with leading thinkers …
Congress Should Open Up Programs in Next Farm Bill WASHINGTON (April 24, 2012)—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging Americans to eat substantially more fruits and vegetables, but its crop insurance and credit programs handicap produce …
Statement by Union of Concerned Scientists WASHINGTON (April 23, 2012)—President Obama is planning to reappoint Republican Kristine Svinicki to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission over the objections of some Senate Democrats. Svinicki, a nuclear …
CAMBRIDGE (April 23, 2012)—The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) released a report today about potentially serious concrete degradation at the Seabrook nuclear power plant in Seabrook, New Hampshire. The report was written by Paul Brown, a professor of …
New Report Outlines How the Lacey Act Addresses These Problems WASHINGTON (April 16, 2012) – Anti-regulation forces are working to stop the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from enforcing violations of the Lacey Act, the first-ever law prohibiting the …
WASHINGTON (April 12) -- The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) today announced the release of "Cooler Smarter: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Living," a consumer-oriented book based on an in-depth, two-year effort to determine the most- …
Statement by Margaret Mellon, Senior Scientist WASHINGTON (April 11, 2012)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today released three documents that constitute its long-awaited response to the problem of antibiotic overuse in agriculture. There …
Statement by Kevin Knobloch, President, Union of Concerned Scientists WASHINGTON (March 27, 2012)—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today will release proposed standards to limit carbon emissions from new power plants, according to press …
Statement by Adrienne Alvord, Union of Concerned Scientists California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. (D) today announced a $120 million settlement with NRG Energy Inc. that will fund a network of electric vehicle charging stations across the state. He …
Statement by Margaret Mellon, Union of Concerned Scientists WASHINGTON (March 23, 2012) – A federal judge in New York ruled yesterday that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must address the overuse of non-therapeutic antibiotics in livestock. The …
WASHINGTON (March 15, 2012)—Extreme precipitation and flooding, likely on the rise in a warming world, carry significant and often hidden health risks, according to a report, “ After the Storm: The Hidden Health Risks of Flooding in a Warming World ,” …
