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The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a transportation-based cap-and-invest program for New York State, citing the success of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in the power sector. The document highlights that transportation is the largest source of emissions in New York and a major cause of health issues in New York City. It suggests that such a program could raise over $1.2 billion annually to fund electric vehicle infrastructure, public transit, and climate resilience.

The document argues that the US is losing its leadership in energy storage to countries like China and requires strategic federal RD&D to overcome private sector investment gaps. It identifies critical research priorities—including long-duration storage, systems integration, and cost reduction—and recommends a diverse portfolio of high-risk research, expanded public-private partnerships, and the creation of a federal energy storage roadmap.

The document outlines five key stages for hosting a public education event: identifying partners, coordinating logistics, creating an outreach plan, promoting the event, and following up with attendees. It emphasizes inclusivity, particularly reaching out to those most affected by the issue, and suggests leveraging community partnerships to build power and influence. Practical advice is provided on venue selection, accessibility, catering, and the use of social media for real-time publicity and long-term community building.

The 2018 Automaker Rankings by the Union of Concerned Scientists analyzes the emissions of new vehicles sold in the U.S., finding that while average emissions have reached record lows, the pace of reduction is slowing. The report identifies Honda as the top-performing full-line manufacturer and Tesla as the overall leader, while noting that the 'Detroit Three' (Ford, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler) continue to lag behind the industry average. The analysis highlights a conflict between industry lobbying for weaker standards and the available technological capacity to further reduce fuel use and emissions.

The 2018 Automaker Rankings by the Union of Concerned Scientists finds that while average emissions from new vehicles have reached record lows, the pace of reduction is slowing due to a market shift toward SUVs and inconsistent investment in efficiency technologies. Honda is the top-performing full-line manufacturer, while Tesla leads overall with an all-electric fleet. The 'Detroit Three' (Ford, GM, and Fiat Chrysler) consistently underperform compared to the industry average. The report details the deployment of fuel-saving technologies—such as gasoline direct injection, cylinder deactivation, and electrification—and argues that strong federal standards are essential to prevent manufacturers from prioritizing performance over emissions reductions.

The document outlines the quantitative scoring system used to translate qualitative likelihood and confidence levels from the Climate Science Special Report (CSSR) and the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) into a visual guide for extreme weather attribution in the continental United States.

The document advocates for federal policy changes in the 2018 farm bill to scale up 'good food' procurement, which prioritizes healthy, local, and sustainably produced foods. It highlights the success of the Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP) and identifies barriers for small farmers, such as lack of infrastructure and food safety certification costs. The brief recommends supporting the Local FARMS Act, the Food and Farm Act, and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act to improve regional food systems, advance racial equity, and protect animal welfare.

The document examines how a warming atmosphere increases the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation, contributing to higher inland flood risks in parts of the United States, particularly the Midwest and Northeast. It highlights that while climate change is a driver, land-use changes—such as development in floodplains and the removal of wetlands—significantly exacerbate flood risk. The report argues that current FEMA flood maps are inadequate because they rely on historical data rather than future projections. To mitigate these risks, the authors recommend reforming the National Flood Insurance Program, increasing funding for river gauge networks and flood mapping, and implementing nature-based infrastructure and stricter zoning regulations to discourage floodplain development.

The document outlines the development of 'climate attribution' science, which allows researchers to quantify the role of human-caused climate change in extreme weather. It identifies that evidence is strongest for heat waves, coastal flooding, and extreme precipitation, while remaining less conclusive for tornadoes and thunderstorms. The text provides specific examples of US events, such as Hurricane Harvey and the February 2017 heat wave, where climate change significantly increased likelihood or intensity.

The report warns that sea level rise puts hundreds of thousands of US coastal properties at risk of chronic inundation, potentially leading to a collapse in real estate values and a significant erosion of local tax bases. Using a high sea level rise scenario, the analysis projects that by 2100, nearly 2.5 million properties valued at $1.07 trillion today will be at risk. The authors argue that current financial markets and government policies mask these risks, creating a 'narrowing window of opportunity' for communities to adapt. The report highlights particular vulnerabilities for low-income populations, the elderly, and specific states like Florida and New Jersey, while advocating for updated flood maps, transparent risk disclosure, and a shift away from subsidized insurance and disaster aid that encourages rebuilding in high-risk areas.

The Union of Concerned Scientists used a combination of NOAA elevation data, tide gauge records, and Zillow's ZTRAX database to identify coastal properties at risk of chronic inundation. The analysis defines chronic inundation as areas flooded at least 26 times per year and evaluates three sea-level-rise scenarios: high (6.6 feet), intermediate (4.0 feet), and low (1.6 feet) by the end of the century. Key caveats include the assumption of constant population and demographics, the exclusion of local coastal defenses like sea walls, and the lack of consideration for future adaptation measures.

The report presents a series of expert testimonies and external research findings regarding the economic vulnerability of U.S. coastal properties to sea level rise. Experts from insurance, credit rating, and real estate sectors highlight a disconnect between long-term climate risks and short-term investment horizons. Key concerns include the potential for a collapse in property values, the failure of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to provide accurate risk signals due to subsidies, and the likelihood of credit downgrades for coastal municipalities. The document identifies critical tipping points, such as the loss of 30-year mortgages and the transition to risk-based insurance pricing, which could trigger a disorderly retreat from vulnerable areas.

The 2018 Survey of Federal Scientists targeted 63,248 contacts across 16 US federal agencies to investigate scientific integrity and the impact of political interference on science-based decision-making. Administered by the Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology at Iowa State University for the Union of Concerned Scientists, the survey utilized a multimode approach including online web surveys, PDF forms, and phone interviews. The final data set comprised 4,211 responses, representing an overall response rate of 6.67%. The survey instrument specifically questioned respondents on workforce reductions, the omission of politically contentious terms—including 'climate change'—and the effectiveness of agency scientific integrity and whistleblower policies.

The document outlines the benefits of collaboration for scientific advocacy, such as widening reach, building credibility, and pursuing larger goals. It suggests scouting for strengths within personal networks, local communities, and academic institutions, while emphasizing the importance of ethical alignment with environmental justice and public health equity groups. The guide provides a framework for maintaining positive partnerships through clear agreements, inclusive decision-making, and fair distribution of credit.

The document outlines a process for hosting letter-writing parties to influence decisionmakers, emphasizing the impact of multiple handwritten letters. It details six steps: determining the target and 'ask', selecting a location, inviting participants, preparing supplies, conducting the writing session, and following up with participants to maintain engagement.

The Union of Concerned Scientists' toolkit outlines how to use letters to the editor (LTEs) as a tool for advocacy. It emphasizes responding to existing articles, sharing personal expertise, and naming specific targets to ensure the message reaches legislators and corporations. The guide recommends keeping letters under 150 words, focusing on one or two points, and including a clear call to action supported by data.

The ScienTIST advocacy Toolkit outlines a structured approach for scientists to introduce themselves to policymakers, emphasizing the importance of establishing credibility as both a technical expert and a constituent. It provides a specific script and strategic advice to ensure the 'ask' remains the central focus of the interaction, while offering indicators to measure the success of such engagements beyond an immediate commitment.

The document provides a toolkit for scientists to use public events, such as town halls, to influence policymakers. It recommends preparing concise, concrete, and compelling questions, positioning oneself as a technical resource to staff, and following up through thank-you notes or local media to maintain pressure and build connections.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that the EPA's January 25, 2018, withdrawal of the "once in, always in" (OIAI) policy allows industrial facilities to be reclassified from "major sources" to "area sources" of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). This reclassification removes the requirement for facilities to use Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT), which the authors estimate was used by 70 percent of major sources in 2014 to keep emissions at or below thresholds of 10 or 25 tons per year. The document warns that area sources are not regulated or inspected as stringently, potentially increasing emissions of toxic substances like chlorine, benzene, and styrene. The analysis identifies at least 21 states at risk of increased pollution, with specific high-risk clusters in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley," Houston, Chicago, and the New York-Newark urban area.

The Union of Concerned Scientists report 'Betrayal at the USDA' examines the first year of Secretary Sonny Perdue's leadership at the USDA. It argues that the administration has systematically sidelined science and expertise to favor large agribusiness corporations. Key concerns include the appointment of unqualified personnel, the rollback of school nutrition and food safety standards, the disregard for World Health Organization guidelines on antibiotics in livestock, and the promotion of climate change denial. The report also criticizes proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the elimination of protections for small farmers through the dismantling of the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA).