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The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a climate resilience framework based on narrowing the 'resilience gap' through combined mitigation and adaptation efforts. The report outlines 15 principles categorized by rigorous science, equitable outcomes, and ambitious common sense to ensure adaptation is scientifically sound and socially just.

This fact sheet advocates for the permanent withdrawal of the U.S. Arctic and Atlantic Oceans from oil and gas leasing. It argues that such a move is necessary to meet Paris Agreement commitments, avoid 'carbon lock-in' from massive infrastructure investments, and prevent severe ecological and economic risks from oil spills. The document highlights that proven fossil fuel reserves already exceed the carbon budget for limiting warming to 2°C and that clean energy alternatives are growing rapidly enough to replace the need for these unproven reserves.

An analysis of 52 tide gauges along the US East and Gulf Coasts indicates a steep increase in tidal flooding events over the next 30 years. By 2030, over half of the studied communities are projected to experience at least 24 tidal floods annually. By 2045, one-third of these locations could face flooding more than 180 times per year, with some areas in the mid-Atlantic potentially inundated more than 10 percent of the time. The report argues that while local flood-proofing and federal resilience investments are necessary, the only long-term solution to slow sea level rise is the swift reduction of global warming pollution.

The report analyzes 52 tide gauges from Maine to Texas, projecting that by 2045, many U.S. East and Gulf Coast communities will face a ten-fold increase in tidal flooding. It argues that such flooding will disrupt daily life, damage infrastructure, and necessitate a coordinated national response combining local adaptation—such as elevating roads and restoring wetlands—with global carbon emission reductions.

The report analyzes 59 tide gauges along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts to project the impact of sea level rise on tidal flooding. Using an Intermediate-High scenario from the National Climate Assessment, the analysis finds that at least 40 locations will see a doubling of coastal flooding events by 2030, with the majority experiencing a 10-fold increase by 2045. Additionally, nearly half of the evaluated locations are projected to experience moderate coastal floods by 2045 from tides that currently only cause minor flooding.

The document details the historical transition from smallpox inoculation to vaccination in the United States, highlighting the roles of figures like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and James Madison. It uses Benjamin Franklin's personal tragedy—the death of his son due to a decision to avoid inoculation—as a cautionary tale against vaccine hesitancy. The text outlines the quantitative evidence that supported early inoculation efforts in Boston and the subsequent legislative and military actions that helped eradicate smallpox in the U.S. by 1949.

A joint statement from the Attorneys General of New York, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish formal emission standards and guidelines for methane in the oil and gas sector following the publication of five technical white papers.

The report examines the vulnerability of iconic U.S. landmarks to climate change, highlighting risks such as sea level rise in coastal cities and increased wildfire activity in the Southwest. It argues for urgent national priority in climate resilience and carbon emission reduction to protect cultural heritage.

The document explains that global sea level has risen approximately eight inches since the Industrial Revolution, driven primarily by thermal expansion and the melting of land ice due to global warming. It highlights that the U.S. East and Gulf coasts are experiencing some of the world's fastest rates of rise. Projections for 2100 range from 8 inches to 6.6 feet, with significant risks of permanent inundation, amplified storm surges, and shoreline erosion for over 100 million Americans living in coastal counties. The report argues that while adaptation is necessary, reducing heat-trapping emissions is the most effective way to limit the pace and magnitude of future sea level rise.

District energy systems provide centralized heating and cooling to multiple buildings via underground pipes, utilizing sources such as combined heat and power (CHP) plants, waste heat, and renewables. In the United States, over 700 such systems exist, offering benefits like reduced fuel consumption, lower peak electrical demand, and decreased greenhouse gas emissions. While high upfront infrastructure costs can be a barrier, examples from universities and city centers demonstrate significant energy savings and carbon reductions.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) proposes a 'Clean Construction' policy for U.S. transportation projects, requiring the use of emission control technologies like Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) in PM2.5 non-attainment and maintenance areas. The proposal suggests funding these upgrades through project change orders, capped at 1% of total project costs, to mitigate severe health risks associated with diesel pollution while ensuring a fair bidding process for contractors.

The report documents that commuters in cars, buses, trains, and ferries are routinely exposed to high levels of diesel exhaust, with ultrafine particles (UFPs) serving as the most sensitive marker of fresh diesel emissions. Findings indicate that diesel soot dominates roadway particulate matter and that in-vehicle exposures are significantly higher than ambient outdoor air, particularly in 'pull' trains and highway tunnels. The study concludes that diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are highly effective at eliminating the soot plume behind vehicles, significantly improving air quality for following commuters and pedestrians.

The report uses data from the National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) and the Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program (BenMAP) to quantify the health burden of diesel PM2.5. It finds that offroad diesel sources generally cause more cases of premature mortality and higher economic costs than onroad sources. The analysis employs a variety of epidemiological studies to estimate endpoints ranging from adult mortality to childhood asthma exacerbations, applying EPA-standard unit values and income adjustments to determine the economic impact.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analysis indicates that motor coaches and trains are generally the lowest-emission travel options, while first-class flights and large SUVs produce the highest carbon footprints. The guide emphasizes that the greenest choice depends on the number of travelers and the distance of the trip; for example, while solo travelers are encouraged to avoid cars, cars become a low-carbon option for larger groups. To further reduce emissions, the document recommends nonstop flights, fuel-efficient rental cars, and avoiding peak traffic periods.

The document advocates for wind power as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear energy, particularly in New England. It details the severe environmental and health costs of conventional energy—including CO2 emissions, air pollution, water consumption, and land degradation—while positioning wind energy as a low-impact solution with minimal land footprints and no operational emissions.

The document outlines the advantages of wind energy for New England, focusing on reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, stabilizing energy costs, and generating local economic growth through taxes, lease payments, and jobs. It highlights specific projects in Massachusetts and Vermont to demonstrate positive community impact and environmental gains.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) conducted monitoring in Austin, Boston, New York City, and Columbus to assess diesel exhaust exposure during commutes. The study found that commuters in cars, buses, and trains are exposed to diesel particle levels significantly higher than ambient outdoor air, with the highest concentrations occurring in the presence of heavy truck traffic or when trains are pulled by locomotives. The report highlights that while commuting accounts for only about 6% of a person's day, it may contribute over half of their daily exposure to ultrafine particles. To mitigate these risks, the report recommends retrofitting existing diesel engines with diesel particulate filters (DPFs), which can reduce particle emissions by up to 90%.

The report finds that diesel construction equipment in California causes over 1,100 premature deaths and more than $9 billion in annual public health costs. It identifies excavators, tractors/loaders/backhoes, and crawler tractors as the highest polluters and highlights the South Coast air basin as the most affected region. The authors advocate for a regulatory regime to retire old equipment and install retrofit technologies to reduce particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.

The report outlines a framework for 'healthy design' in hospitals, arguing that sustainable architecture and engineered systems can reduce operating costs, improve clinical outcomes, and enhance staff retention. It provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for Massachusetts healthcare providers, ranging from regional collaborations and institutional policy changes to specific architectural and engineering interventions such as combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) systems and displacement ventilation. The document emphasizes the 'business case' for green building, citing evidence that such projects often have minimal capital cost premiums while offering significant life-cycle savings and health benefits.

The authors argue that U.S. energy policy mistakenly focuses solely on imported oil while ignoring the extreme vulnerability of centralized domestic energy infrastructure. They contend that the only effective protection against asymmetric warfare and terrorism is to redesign the energy architecture to be inherently resilient through efficiency, diversity, and distributed renewable options, rather than relying on hardening targets or intelligence.