The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) seeks to apply
rigorous and independent science to issues of public concern. Their staff of
engineers, policy experts, economists, and scientists work to provide
policymakers and the wider public with the data and analysis needed to make
informed choices and develop effective solutions. They have worked on a wide
array of issues, including nuclear power, nuclear weapons, global security,
agriculture, and climate change.
Their
recent scholarship includes an examination of the inequitable burdens of
climate impacts. Hurricanes Sandy and Katrina showed that communities of
color and poor communities are particularly vulnerable to coastal storms and
heightened storm surge.
This
past May, their report National Landmarks at Risk received
nationwide attention from policymakers and the media. In it, they demonstrate
the threats posed to our shared heritage by the consequences of climate change
using multiple lines of robust scientific evidence. They also note practical
strategies to manage these risks and protect our history.
But
not all of their work is nationwide in scope. In January 2014, the UCS
sponsored a training session on sea-level rise for 35 South Florida elected
officials. The workshop covered climate impacts and science, with each
participant receiving a set of maps localized to their zip code showing
inundation risks and storm surge for 2030 and 2060.
The
aim of the UCS is to provide society with the tools, expertise, and advocacy
needed to achieve a healthy, safe, and sustainable future. What's not to like?
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