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The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) found that none of the 13 evaluated consumer goods companies can guarantee their beef is deforestation-free. While some companies like Mars, McDonald's, and Walmart show more progress, most lack comprehensive policies, transparency, and traceability for indirect supplying ranches. The report highlights that beef production is the primary driver of tropical deforestation in South America, contributing significantly to global carbon emissions and biodiversity loss.

The report examines the prevalence of added sugars in early childhood diets and the failure of US federal regulations to protect children under five. It highlights how the food industry exploits children's biological preferences for sweetness through aggressive marketing and political lobbying to maintain low transparency in labeling. The authors argue that current guidelines and supplemental food programs are insufficient, contributing to higher obesity rates, particularly among low-income and minority children, and call for science-based policy reforms.

The National Program for fuel efficiency and emissions standards is a cornerstone of Connecticut's strategy to reduce transportation emissions, which account for 40 percent of the state's total. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that the program has already saved Connecticut drivers $324 million since 2011 and reduced oil consumption by 97 million gallons. By 2030, the program is projected to lower the state's global warming emissions by 4.5 million metric tons per year, save consumers $1.5 billion in gas expenses, and create over 4,000 jobs, increasing the state's GDP by more than $1 billion.

The document assesses the impact of the US National Program's fuel efficiency and emissions standards on Massachusetts, highlighting reductions in oil consumption, consumer cost savings, and greenhouse gas emissions. It warns that a federal midterm review of the 2022–2025 standards could jeopardize these benefits, which include projected GDP growth and job creation by 2030.

The National Program for fuel efficiency and emissions standards is a cornerstone of Maryland's strategy to reduce transportation emissions, which account for 38 percent of statewide emissions. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that the program has already saved Maryland drivers $535 million in fuel costs since 2011 and reduced annual transportation-related emissions by 754,000 metric tons. By 2030, the program is projected to lower the state's global warming emissions by 9.1 million metric tons per year, create over 6,000 jobs, and increase the state's GDP by more than $1.3 billion.

The National Program for fuel efficiency and emissions standards is a cornerstone of New Jersey's strategy to reduce transportation emissions, which account for 41 percent of statewide emissions. The program has already reduced annual transportation-related emissions in the state by 935,000 metric tons and saved drivers $648 million in fuel costs since 2011. By 2030, the program is projected to lower New Jersey's global warming emissions by 9.3 million metric tons per year, create over 15,000 jobs, and increase the state's GDP by more than $1.5 billion.

The National Program for fuel efficiency and emissions standards is a cornerstone of New York's strategy to reduce transportation emissions, which account for 33 percent of statewide emissions. The program has already reduced annual transportation-related emissions in New York by 2 million metric tons and saved drivers $1.5 billion in fuel costs since 2011. By 2030, the program is projected to lower the state's global warming emissions by 21 million metric tons per year, save consumers $7 billion in gas expenses, create over 40,000 jobs, and increase the state's GDP by more than $6 billion.

The document assesses the impact of the US National Program's fuel efficiency and emissions standards on Pennsylvania, highlighting reductions in global warming emissions, oil consumption, and consumer costs. It argues that maintaining these standards through 2025 is essential for the state to meet its climate goals and stimulate economic growth through job creation and increased GDP.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds a significant disparity in how automakers deploy electric vehicles (EVs) across the United States. While BMW, General Motors, Nissan, and Tesla are identified as leaders, others like Honda, Toyota, and Fiat Chrysler are labeled laggards due to limited model availability or a lack of plug-in offerings. The report highlights a stark geographic divide, noting that California's Zero Emission Vehicle policy has made it the only state where all available US EV models are offered, while consumers in other regions face severe shortages of EVs at dealerships.

The report analyzes the US electric vehicle (EV) market as of 2016, finding that while cumulative sales were nearing 500,000, progress among automakers is uneven. BMW, General Motors, Nissan, and Tesla are identified as leaders, while Honda, Toyota, and Fiat Chrysler are characterized as laggards. A significant disparity in vehicle availability exists between California and the rest of the US, largely attributed to California's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program. The authors argue that limited model availability and poor dealership inventory outside California hinder the national transition to electric transportation.

The report examines how weak federal guidelines and aggressive industry marketing expose US children under five to excessive added sugars, contributing to obesity and diabetes. It highlights gaps in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the influence of the food industry on policy, recommending stricter FDA limits and transparent guideline-setting processes.

The document examines how US farm subsidies, specifically the Federal Crop Insurance Program, encourage wasteful farming practices that lead to widespread nitrogen pollution. It details the resulting costs to public health, water utilities, and coastal industries, while proposing a transition to integrated prairie strips to reduce runoff and save taxpayers and farmers billions of dollars.

Jamestown Island, the site of the first permanent English colony in North America, faces an existential threat from rising sea levels and severe storm surges. Much of the land is less than five feet above water and is sinking due to groundwater extraction. Local sea levels are rising at more than twice the global average, with projections suggesting a rise of up to six feet by the end of the century. The area is highly vulnerable to stronger North Atlantic storms, as evidenced by Hurricane Isabel in 2003, which caused $20 million in damages to the Colonial National Historical Park and threatened nearly a million artifacts. While the National Park Service has implemented protections like riprap and is monitoring sea level rise, some areas, such as a corner of the original Jamestown Fort, have already been lost.

The document details how Hurricane Sandy and rising sea levels caused extensive damage to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in 2012, resulting in an estimated $77 million in losses and significant economic disruption to tourism. It explains that sea levels in the New York area have risen by over 1.5 feet since the 1850s, exacerbating storm surges. In response, the National Park Service is implementing resilience measures, such as elevating electrical systems up to 20 feet, as part of a broader effort to manage climate change risks for coastal properties.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in North Carolina was moved inland in 1999 to prevent it from being lost to the sea due to coastal erosion and sea level rise. The structure, weighing over 4,800 tons, had seen its distance from the ocean shrink from 1,500 feet at construction to 120 feet by the end of the twentieth century. This relocation serves as an example of the 'hard choices' required to protect historic sites as sea levels in the Outer Banks rise two to three times faster than the global average and Category 4 and 5 hurricanes in the North Atlantic have roughly doubled since 1970.

Fort Monroe, a national monument in Virginia with significant history regarding the beginning and end of slavery in North America, is highly vulnerable to climate change. Water levels near the fort have risen nearly 1.5 feet since the 1920s, and projections suggest coastal waters could rise up to six feet by the end of the century. The site faces increased frequency and severity of flooding from storm surges and heavy rainfall, as evidenced by significant damage from Hurricane Isabel in 2003. Current protections, such as a seawall built by the Army Corps of Engineers, are based on historic rather than projected rates of sea level rise, leaving the site at risk of further inundation and sewage leaks into Chesapeake Bay.

Annapolis, Maryland, faces significant threats to its colonial-era architecture and tourism economy due to rising sea levels in the Chesapeake Bay and increasing storm surge intensity. The city has experienced severe flooding, notably during Hurricane Isabel in 2003, which caused over $120 million in damage to the U.S. Naval Academy. In response, the city is developing a Cultural Resource Hazard Mitigation plan, including a survey of 140 at-risk buildings in its Historic Landmark District, to preserve its eighteenth-century brick buildings and waterfront structures.

The Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex faces significant risks from sea level rise, with projections indicating that up to 75% of the installation could be underwater during daily high tides by 2100 under a high-emission scenario. The analysis warns that by the end of the century, a Category 1 storm would expose at least 95% of the station to storm surge flooding, and a Category 4 storm could result in nearly 60% of the installation flooding to depths of 20 feet or more. The document argues that there is a growing gap between current military preparedness and these threats, calling for increased funding for high-resolution modeling, tide gauge networks, and detailed mapping to implement adaptive measures.

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine faces significant risks from sea level rise, with projections indicating a rise of 3.5 to 5.9 feet by 2100. Without preventive measures, the installation is expected to experience frequent tidal flooding, the loss of over 25% of its land area in the highest scenario, and increased vulnerability to storm surges from Category 1 and 2 hurricanes. The document argues that there is a growing gap between current military preparedness and these threats, calling for increased funding and high-resolution modeling from Congress and the Department of Defense.

Naval Station Norfolk is located in a sea level rise hot spot where seas are projected to rise between 4.5 and 6.9 feet by 2100. Projections indicate that by 2050, some areas could flood 280 times per year, and by 2100, up to 60% of the station's land area could be exposed to flooding during extra-high tides. In the highest scenario for 2100, a Category 4 storm could leave 95% of the base under more than 10 feet of water. While the Navy has invested in raising piers and participating in regional studies, the document argues that a large gap remains between current preparedness and future threats, calling for increased funding for high-resolution modeling and detailed mapping.