Union of Concerned Scientists
The Union of Concerned Scientists emerged in 1969 from the halls of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Faculty and students gathered to draft a founding document that explicitly rejected military technology as the primary focus for research applications. They sought instead to turn scientific efforts toward solving pressing environmental and social problems. One co-founder was physicist Henry Kendall, who later won a Nobel Prize and served many years as chairman of the board. The organization's initial goal was to initiate a critical examination of government policy where science held actual or potential significance.
In 1992, Henry Kendall presided over the World Scientists' Warning to Humanity. This document called for fundamental change to address security and environmental issues. It bore signatures from 1700 scientists, including a majority of Nobel prize winners in the sciences. Five years later, the group presented their World Scientists Call For Action petition to world leaders negotiating the Kyoto Protocol. More than 1500 distinguished senior scientists signed this declaration, asserting a discernible human influence on global climate. When an opposing petition circulated with more than 17000 science graduates, UCS labeled it a deliberate attempt to deceive the community with misinformation.
On the 11th of December 2006, the Union issued a statement demanding the restoration of scientific integrity to federal policy-making. Ten thousand six hundred leading scientists signed this appeal, including 52 Nobel laureates and 63 National Medal of Science recipients. In August 2008, the organization purchased billboards at airports in Denver and Minneapolis, Saint Paul during presidential conventions. These displays showed downtown areas within crosshairs, stating that one nuclear bomb could destroy such cities. Northwest Airlines removed the advertisement after complaints, accusing the union of censorship because they found the message scary and anti-McCain. The group responded by claiming the airline acted as a new censor.
In June 2020, staff member Ruth Tyson resigned and sent a 17-page open letter regarding racial inequality within the organization. She stated that ideas from black workers were routinely dismissed or given low priority. President Ken Kimmell read the letter and declared the criticism fair, acknowledging a wider culture of white supremacy in society. He vowed to address these issues and diversify the workforce. His successor, Johanna Chao Kreilick, was chosen partly for her track record of integrating racial justice into complex organizations. By February 2025, noted environmental scientist Dr. Gretchen Goldman became the organization's president.
According to the George C. Marshall Institute, the Union received the fourth-largest amount of foundation grants for climate-related activities between 2000 and 2002. A quarter of its $24 million grant income during that period supported those purposes. Charity Navigator awarded the organization four out of four stars in the fiscal year ending September 2018 with an overall score of 91.85 out of 100. IRS Form 990 records show the group received $39.9 million in total revenue for the tax year beginning the 1st of October 2017. That same year, expenses totaled $3.1 million while net assets reached $48.8 million.
Edwin Lyman, a senior staff scientist at the union, has challenged specific cost-saving design choices made for Generation III reactor designs like the AP1000. The group opposes the use of space weapons and works on reducing the number of nuclear weapons around the world. They endorsed the 2007 Forests Now Declaration which calls for new market-based mechanisms to protect forests. The organization also supports governmental incentives for people who want to preserve undeveloped land instead of selling it to developers. These positions reflect their broader stance against nuclear proliferation and support for forest conservation efforts.
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Common questions
When was the Union of Concerned Scientists founded and where did it originate?
The Union of Concerned Scientists emerged in 1969 from the halls of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Faculty and students gathered to draft a founding document that explicitly rejected military technology as the primary focus for research applications.
Who co-founded the Union of Concerned Scientists and what role did they hold later?
One co-founder was physicist Henry Kendall, who later won a Nobel Prize and served many years as chairman of the board. In 1992, Henry Kendall presided over the World Scientists' Warning to Humanity which bore signatures from 1700 scientists including a majority of Nobel prize winners in the sciences.
What specific actions did the Union of Concerned Scientists take regarding nuclear policy in August 2008?
In August 2008, the organization purchased billboards at airports in Denver and Minneapolis, Saint Paul during presidential conventions. These displays showed downtown areas within crosshairs stating that one nuclear bomb could destroy such cities before Northwest Airlines removed the advertisement after complaints.
Who became president of the Union of Concerned Scientists by February 2025?
By February 2025, noted environmental scientist Dr. Gretchen Goldman became the organization's president. Her predecessor Johanna Chao Kreilick was chosen partly for her track record of integrating racial justice into complex organizations following an open letter from staff member Ruth Tyson in June 2020.
How much revenue did the Union of Concerned Scientists receive for the tax year beginning the 1st of October 2017?
IRS Form 990 records show the group received $39.9 million in total revenue for the tax year beginning the 1st of October 2017. That same year expenses totaled $3.1 million while net assets reached $48.8 million.
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25 references cited across the entry
- 4inlineList of UCS experts
- 5newsHenry Kendall; Nobel Prize-Winning Nuclear ScientistOliver, Myrna — 1999-02-17
- 7webWorld Scientists Call For ActionUnion of Concerned Scientists
- 10journalPetition strengthens hand of global warming scepticsColin Macilwain — 16 April 1998
- 12newsAds on Nuclear Threat Removed From Convention AirportsLarry Rohter — 21 August 2008
- 15newsLiberal, progressive — and racist? The Sierra Club faces its white-supremacist history.Daryl Fears et al. — July 22, 2020
- 16newsUCS Announces Incoming President Johanna Chao KreilickApril 6, 2021
- 19webReturn of Organization Exempt From Income TaxUnion of Concerned Scientists
- 23journalNuclear energy: Planning for the Black SwanAdam Piore — June 2011
- 25webDisarmamentUnited Nations