Search Climate Insights Directory

The report analyzes the potential impacts of automated vehicles (AVs) on the Washington, DC, metro area, arguing that the best outcomes for equity and environment occur when AVs are electric, pooled, and integrated with robust mass transit. Without such policies, AVs could increase vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by up to 66%, exacerbate congestion in low-income neighborhoods, and undermine public transit.

The report finds that Black, Latino, and low-income communities in California are exposed to significantly higher levels of PM2.5 air pollution from vehicles compared to white and high-income populations.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that the Trump administration undermined air quality protections by disbanding scientific review panels, replacing independent experts with industry-linked regulators, and proposing rules to restrict the use of epidemiological studies in policy. The document highlights the elimination of the "once in, always in" policy for hazardous air pollutants and the suppression of a report on formaldehyde's cancer risks, recommending that Congress codify the use of pollutant review panels and investigate the impacts of these actions on public health.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that the Trump administration censored federal scientists by restricting communications, creating a chilling environment, and limiting conference attendance. It recommends that Congress investigate these actions, expand the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, and pass the Scientific Integrity Act to protect science-based policymaking.

The document details how rising temperatures in Oregon are increasing the frequency and cost of wildfires, reducing mountain snowpack, and causing ocean acidification. It highlights the vulnerability of the state's $48 billion agriculture, forestry, and fishery sectors and recommends a transition to a clean energy economy through carbon pricing and renewable energy adoption.

The document details how the Trump administration sidelined independent scientific advice by disbanding committees, restricting the appointment of grant-receiving scientists, and reducing the frequency of committee meetings across multiple federal agencies. It specifically highlights losses at the EPA, DOI, DOE, HHS, Commerce, and Labor departments and provides a set of legislative recommendations for the 116th Congress to strengthen the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and restore scientific integrity.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that the Trump administration sidelined science in public health and environmental decision-making through executive orders and restrictive EPA rules. Key actions include requiring a two-for-one rule repeal, slashing the social cost of carbon, and restricting the use of scientific studies with non-public raw data. The document recommends that Congress investigate these threats, codify agency deference on science-based laws, and increase transparency within the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports a pattern of hostility toward science during the first two years of the Trump administration, citing instances of political interference, funding restrictions, and the silencing of scientists. The document recommends that Congress reestablish the Office of Technology Assessment, pass the Scientific Integrity Act, and use confirmation hearings to ensure transparency and adherence to scientific standards.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that the Trump administration halted, suppressed, or altered scientific studies to undermine evidence-based decision-making. Examples include the Department of Energy stopping the $100 million Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment-Tropics and the Department of the Interior halting studies on offshore oil and gas inspections and mountaintop removal coal mining. The document recommends that Congress pass legislation to protect scientists' rights to review public materials, prohibit retaliation for raising integrity concerns, and request a Government Accountability Office report on agency scientific integrity policies.

The report documents a systemic effort by the Trump administration to marginalize scientific expertise in federal policymaking. Key tactics identified include the disbanding of science advisory committees, the suppression of research on climate change and public health, and the creation of a 'culture of fear' that encourages scientist self-censorship. The authors highlight specific failures in the EPA, DOI, and HHS, while providing a roadmap for the 116th Congress to restore scientific integrity through oversight and legislative reform.

The analysis finds that available clean fuels, including electricity, ethanol, biodiesel, and renewable diesel, could support a 11.2 percent reduction in average carbon intensity by 2028. Under an 'Accelerated Progress Scenario', reductions of 13.1 percent by 2028 and 16.5 percent by 2030 are achievable. The study also models the impact of electric vehicle (EV) penetration, noting that a 'High EV' scenario could reach a 15.9 percent reduction by 2030, while a 'Low EV' scenario would reach 11.1 percent. Additionally, the report estimates that credit values at $100 per metric ton of CO2 equivalent could fund EV rebates growing from $2,200 per vehicle in 2022 to $3,000 in 2028.

The report documents a pattern of anti-science policies at the US Department of the Interior (DOI) under Secretary Ryan Zinke, arguing that the administration prioritized fossil fuel and mining interests over public health and environmental protection. Key findings include the blocking of critical health and safety research, the removal of climate change from strategic planning, and the creation of a hostile work environment for federal scientists. The document highlights specific cases of land protection reductions, such as at Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, and the undercutting of the Endangered Species Act. It concludes with recommendations for increased congressional oversight and the reintegration of climate science into DOI policy.

California has established a target of 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045 and increased its renewable energy requirement to 60 percent by 2030. To reach these goals, the Union of Concerned Scientists proposes ten strategies: improving energy efficiency (especially during evening hours), diversifying renewable sources (wind, solar, geothermal, and low-carbon bioenergy), phasing out natural gas equitably, using renewables for grid reliability services, investing in multi-timescale energy storage, integrating western electricity markets, leveraging distributed energy resources, electrifying buildings and transport, shifting demand to match production, and developing a skilled workforce.

The document highlights that transportation accounts for 43 percent of Washington's global warming pollution. It advocates for a clean fuel standard to transition from imported petroleum to locally produced low-carbon alternatives, including electric vehicles (EVs), biomethane, and various biofuels. The report emphasizes the economic benefits of keeping fuel spending within the state and the potential for Washington to lead in sustainable aviation fuels.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) finds that over one-third of US nuclear plants are unprofitable or scheduled to close due to cheap natural gas and falling renewable costs. Without carbon-reduction policies, early retirements could increase US power sector emissions by 4% to 6% by 2035. The report recommends adopting carbon pricing or low-carbon electricity standards and conditioning any nuclear subsidies on strict safety performance and consumer protections.

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that over one-third of US nuclear plants are unprofitable or scheduled to close, primarily due to low natural gas prices. Without new policies, early retirements could increase power sector carbon emissions by 4% to 6% by 2035 as plants are replaced by natural gas and coal. The report argues that national carbon pricing or a low-carbon electricity standard would preserve existing nuclear capacity, diversify the energy mix, and significantly reduce emissions with minimal impact on household electricity bills. It further recommends that any financial support for distressed plants be contingent on high safety performance ratings from the NRC and transparency in financial reporting.

The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that accelerating the transition from coal to clean energy in Illinois would improve public health, lower electric bills, and spur local investment without significantly increasing costs for ratepayers.

The document argues that Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states can significantly reduce CO2 pollution and consumer fuel spending by transitioning to electric vehicles and low-carbon fuels. It highlights specific targets for emissions cuts and emphasizes the need for equitable investments that prioritize polluted communities and marginalized populations.

The document analyzes the economic pressures facing the US nuclear fleet, finding that over one-third of plants are unprofitable or scheduled to close. It warns that without carbon-reduction policies, these closures could increase power sector emissions by 4 to 6 percent as natural gas and coal fill the void. The report advocates for a national carbon price or a low-carbon electricity standard to maintain low-carbon generation and triple renewable energy by 2035, noting that the public health and economic benefits of such policies would outweigh the costs.

The report provides a detailed scoring guide and evaluation of eight fossil fuel companies—Arch Coal, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, CONSOL Energy, ExxonMobil, Peabody Energy, and Royal Dutch Shell—on their disclosure of climate-related risks. Using a scale from 'Egregious' to 'Advanced', the Union of Concerned Scientists assesses how these companies report on regulatory changes, physical climate impacts, market shifts, and internal governance. The findings indicate that while some companies provide detailed analysis of regulatory risks, most fail to adequately link physical risks to climate change or provide specific details on climate-related corporate governance.