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The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that the American Chemistry Council (ACC) systematically obstructs science-based chemical regulations to protect industry profits. The report details the ACC's use of 'revolving door' lobbyists, political donations to key congressional committees, and the promotion of flawed industry-funded studies to delay regulations on substances like BPA, flame retardants, and formaldehyde. It further examines the ACC's efforts to weaken the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), limit public access to chemical facility risk data, and influence international trade agreements like the TTIP to prevent the regulation of endocrine disruptors.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) successfully divested its approximately $32 million portfolio from fossil fuel companies over an 18-month period starting in late 2013. Despite using 'sustainability funds' and low-cost index funds, UCS discovered that fossil fuel producers were still embedded in its holdings. To resolve this, the organization partnered with Blackrock for a fossil-free fund and worked with Calvert Investments to create a custom low-cost product. UCS reports that it is now almost entirely divested, with less than 2 percent exposure remaining in emerging markets, demonstrating that midsize organizations can align their financial strategies with climate goals without compromising risk or return objectives.

The report outlines a toolkit for local governments to manage the rapid expansion of unconventional oil and gas development, such as hydraulic fracturing. It details regulatory options like zoning and setbacks, non-regulatory strategies including community engagement and contractual agreements, and fiscal tools such as severance taxes and road maintenance agreements. The document emphasizes the challenge of state-level preemption and the need for local officials to act as 'honest brokers' between industry and concerned residents.

Annapolis, Maryland, has experienced a more than fourfold increase in tidal flooding since 1970, with the City Dock flooding approximately 50 times per year. Sea levels in Annapolis have risen by over a foot in the last century, more than twice the global average. Projections indicate that by 2045, the city could face over 360 flood events annually. In response, the city is collaborating with agencies such as NOAA, FEMA, and the Army Corps of Engineers to assess vulnerability and study at-risk structures, while the U.S. Naval Academy is coordinating with state and local officials to address sea level rise as a national security issue.

A group of 53 Illinois scientists, engineers, economists, and health professionals argues that the state's clean energy progress has stalled due to policy flaws. They advocate for increasing the renewable energy target to 35% of electricity and energy efficiency investments capable of reducing demand by 20%, while calling for a market-based approach from the Illinois EPA to reduce carbon emissions.

The document argues that U.S. vehicle manufacturers are ahead of regulatory schedules, with 10% of 2015 vehicles already meeting 2020 standards. It highlights the role of both conventional internal combustion engine improvements and electrification in reducing emissions and fuel costs for consumers.

The 'Science Communication Portfolio' is a training document designed to help scientists communicate their research to non-specialists through a structured four-step introductory process and various verbal and written modules. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the audience, defining 'take-home' messages, and using storytelling techniques like the 'And, But, Therefore' (ABT) statement to increase public engagement and inform policy.

This guide serves as a template for science communication, using sea level rise as a case study to demonstrate how to tailor scientific information for various audiences and formats. It outlines a four-step process for planning communication: setting goals, understanding the audience, defining take-home messages, and creating a core 'And, But, Therefore' statement. The portfolio includes practical examples of verbal modules (sound bites, elevator pitches, and presentations) and written modules (Twitter, Facebook, policymaker memos, op-eds, and blogs). Additionally, it provides technical guidance on presentation design and audience engagement to ensure scientific messages are accessible and actionable.

The document details the use of the NREL Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) model to evaluate three policy scenarios for Illinois: a 'No Policies' case, an 'Existing EEPS + Fixed RPS' case, and a 'Strengthened EEPS + RPS' case. It outlines specific adjustments made to EIA AEO 2014 cost and performance assumptions for various generating technologies, including wind, solar, nuclear, and carbon capture and storage, to better reflect project-specific data and recent studies. Additionally, it provides the calculation methods for energy efficiency costs and savings based on Illinois utility filings.

The report identifies the California water sector as a major electricity consumer, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the state's demand. It argues that while growing needs for groundwater pumping, desalination, and water recycling increase energy intensity, utilities can mitigate this by investing in on-site renewables, power purchase agreements, and demand response services. Key barriers include a lack of standardized electricity source data, regulatory misalignment, and financial constraints like Proposition 218.

The document examines how different hydrogen sourcing methods—ranging from fossil-fuel-based steam methane reforming to renewable electrolysis and biomass gasification—affect the total lifecycle emissions of fuel cell electric vehicles. It highlights that while current natural gas-based production already reduces emissions compared to gasoline vehicles, transitioning to renewable feedstocks and distributed production can further minimize the climate impact.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) evaluated the land sector (AFOLU) plans within the initial INDCs of the US, EU, and Mexico. The analysis finds a stark contrast between developed and developing nations: while the US and EU provide reasonable accounting standards, they lack specific action plans to realize their substantial mitigation potentials. In contrast, Mexico provides a highly transparent and ambitious plan, including a goal of zero deforestation by 2030 and a target for emissions to peak and decline by 2026. The report emphasizes that the land sector is critical for closing the global emissions gap, but current INDCs from developed nations are insufficient in detail to determine if their ambitions match their capacities.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analyzed 40 major US brands across the packaged food, personal care, fast food, and store-brand sectors to assess their palm oil sustainability commitments. While 21 of 30 companies previously scored in 2014 improved their practices, the report finds a wide disparity in leadership, with the packaged food sector leading and the fast food sector performing the worst. Despite an increase in corporate pledges, 32 of 40 companies lack adequate commitments to ensure transparency and traceability in their supply chains, and none of the 40 companies are currently sourcing 100 percent deforestation-free and peat-free palm oil.

Oil shale is a mixture of minerals and kerogen that requires energy-intensive heating to produce oil, resulting in significantly higher greenhouse gas emissions than conventional oil. The document highlights that oil shale is largely commercially unviable and poses risks to air and groundwater, advocating for reduced oil consumption and fuel efficiency over the expansion of unconventional oil production.

Tight oil, also known as shale oil, is extracted from impermeable rock using hydraulic fracturing, a process that is more energy-intensive and polluting than conventional drilling. In the United States, tight oil's share of domestic production rose from 23 percent in 2011 to 45 percent in 2013. Key environmental concerns include flaring of associated natural gas, fugitive methane emissions, and pollution of water, air, and noise. The document argues that transitioning to cleaner transportation technologies and improving extraction infrastructure can reduce the reliance on and emissions from tight oil.

The document contrasts a 1995 ALEC claim that global warming predictions were theoretical and lacked scientific consensus with the 1995 IPCC Assessment Report, which identified a "discernible human influence on global climate." It details ALEC's role in distributing "model" legislation to state legislators to oppose EPA carbon standards and repeal renewable energy standards, noting that ALEC's Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Task Force has included members such as BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Peabody Energy, and Shell.

The document contrasts scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change with the activities of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). It asserts that ALEC, funded by fossil fuel interests, promotes misinformation to state legislators to block EPA regulations and repeal renewable energy standards.

The document details a leaked 1998 memo from the American Petroleum Institute (API) outlining a 'Global Climate Science Communications Plan' designed to make scientific uncertainties in climate change part of 'conventional wisdom'. It contrasts this industry strategy with the 1995 IPCC findings that indicated a 'discernible human influence on global climate'. The text notes that API, representing companies like ExxonMobil and Shell, has continued to challenge the science of climate change, including a 2011 legal challenge against the EPA's endangerment finding.

The document exposes a 1998 leaked memo from the American Petroleum Institute (API) detailing a strategic plan to promote scientific uncertainty regarding climate change. It contrasts API's claims of uncertainty with findings from the IPCC's 1990 and 1995 reports, which established human influence on global warming. The text further notes API's ongoing efforts to block U.S. federal regulations, including a 2011 lawsuit challenging the EPA's endangerment finding.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) evaluated 17 US federal agencies on their media and social media policies using a rubric focused on scientific openness and free speech. The analysis assigned letter grades based on criteria such as the 'personal-views exception' and the 'right of last review'. Results showed significant variance, with NOAA receiving the highest media policy grade (A) and the Department of Energy receiving an 'Incomplete' due to insufficient policy information. The report also includes qualitative survey data from 72 federal scientists describing their experiences with agency interference and the practical application of these policies.