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The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) estimates that 677 million tons of sustainable biomass could be available in the U.S. by 2030, enough to produce 54 billion gallons of ethanol or 732 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. The report advocates for a shift toward non-food biofuels and biopower sources—such as perennial energy crops, agricultural residues, and waste materials—while explicitly excluding whole trees due to concerns over carbon storage loss. It emphasizes that bioenergy must be scaled appropriately to avoid competing with food production and causing indirect land-use changes that could eliminate climate benefits.

A snapshot analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that representations of climate science on Fox News Channel and in the Wall Street Journal's opinion section were overwhelmingly misleading, despite News Corporation's public commitments to environmental sustainability.

The report argues that tropical wood production can be sustainable if shifted away from primary forest logging toward high-yield plantations on degraded lands. It highlights the role of certification programs like FSC and PEFC, though it notes low adoption rates in high-deforestation regions. The document provides specific recommendations for producers, businesses, consumers, and governments to reduce the environmental impact of wood and paper products.

The document advocates for the Obama administration's proposed 2017-2025 vehicle standards to increase average fuel efficiency to approximately 50 mpg, arguing that fuel savings will outweigh the higher purchase price of cleaner vehicles. It dismisses expanded domestic drilling as an ineffective solution for reducing gas prices.

The document describes the 'energy-water collision,' a phenomenon where power plants—particularly conventional fossil-fuel and nuclear facilities—struggle to secure sufficient or cool enough water for cooling processes during heat waves and droughts. It identifies three primary types of collisions: insufficient water levels, incoming water that is too warm to cool plants, and outgoing water that exceeds temperature limits for environmental safety. The text highlights a surge in these incidents during the summer of 2012, noting that even plants on large bodies of water, such as the Millstone nuclear plant on Long Island Sound, are now susceptible to temperature-related shutdowns.

The report finds that electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States generally produce lower global warming emissions than average gasoline vehicles, though the extent of the benefit varies by regional electricity grid mix. It also demonstrates that EVs offer significant annual fuel-cost savings, which can be further maximized through time-of-use (TOU) electricity rate plans.

The report finds that dangerously hot summer days and heat waves have become more common in the US Midwest since the 1940s and 1950s. It highlights that nighttime temperatures have risen, reducing the cooling relief necessary to prevent heat-related illness. The analysis, covering 10 cities, indicates that these trends are not solely due to urban heat island effects, as smaller cities showed similar increases. Future projections suggest a significant increase in days over 90°F and 100°F by the end of the century if high carbon emissions continue.

The report finds that the US Midwest has experienced a significant increase in dangerously hot and humid summer days since the 1940s and 1950s. This trend increases the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and urban residents. The analysis, covering 10 cities across eight states, indicates that rising nighttime temperatures and more frequent heat waves exacerbate health risks. Projections suggest that without significant carbon emission reductions, the region will face a substantial increase in days exceeding 90°F and 100°F by the end of the century.

The report finds that the U.S. Midwest has experienced a significant increase in dangerously hot, humid, and dry summer days, as well as more frequent heat waves, over the last 60 years. Analysis of ten cities indicates that nighttime temperatures and humidity are rising, reducing the relief typically found overnight. These trends are linked to higher risks of hyperthermia and dehydration, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and low-income urban residents. The document argues for a combination of local adaptation strategies, such as heat-response plans and cooling centers, and aggressive global action to reduce fossil fuel emissions to mitigate future extreme heat events.

The document examines 60 years of summer weather data in the US Midwest, finding that hot and humid air masses are becoming more frequent while cooler air masses are declining. Analysis of both large cities and smaller rural counterparts suggests these trends are driven by broader climate change rather than solely by urban heat island effects, with nighttime temperatures warming faster than daytime temperatures.

The Union of Concerned Scientists evaluated the ten largest publicly owned utilities (POUs) in California based on their 2010 compliance with the state's Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS). While these utilities collectively increased their RPS-eligible investments from 4.1% of retail sales in 2003 to 18.8% in 2010, the report finds significant disparity in how this was achieved. Some utilities, such as Silicon Valley Power and Modesto Irrigation District, are categorized as "running ahead," while others, like Roseville Electric and Imperial Irrigation District, are labeled as having a "false start" due to a reliance on short-term contracts that do not promote new clean energy development. The report emphasizes that long-term contracts and ownership of facilities are essential to meet the increased 33% RPS requirement for 2020 and to reduce the state's continued heavy reliance on fossil fuels.

The Union of Concerned Scientists evaluated how California's 10 largest publicly owned utilities (POUs) performed against the 20 percent by 2010 Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS). While collective RPS-eligible investments rose from 4.1 percent in 2003 to 18.8 percent in 2010, the report found significant variance in utility performance. Three utilities—Silicon Valley Power, Turlock Irrigation District, and Modesto Irrigation District—were categorized as "sprinting ahead," while others were labeled as "on the right track" or a "false start." The analysis highlights that reliance on short-term contracts fails to provide financial security for developers and does not effectively promote new clean energy facilities. To meet the strengthened 33 percent by 2020 requirement, the report recommends that POUs prioritize long-term contracts and direct ownership of projects to reduce fossil fuel reliance and stabilize prices.

The report analyzes how California's 10 largest publicly owned utilities (POUs) met the 2010 RPS goal of 20 percent renewables. While collective RPS-eligible investments rose from 4.1 percent in 2003 to 18.8 percent in 2010, the quality of these investments varied. The authors emphasize that long-term contracts for new facilities are the most effective way to drive new clean energy development and stabilize rates. The report categorizes POUs into three groups: those 'sprinting ahead' (e.g., Silicon Valley Power), those 'on the right track' (e.g., LADWP), and those with a 'false start' (e.g., Imperial Irrigation District). It concludes with recommendations for the California Energy Commission (CEC) and POUs to prioritize long-term investments and improve reporting to meet the 33 percent RPS by 2020.

The analysis finds that EVs generally produce lower global warming emissions than average compact gasoline vehicles, though their relative performance against high-efficiency hybrids depends on the regional electricity grid's fuel mix. In 'BEST' regions, EVs outperform 50 mpg hybrids, while in 'GOOD' regions, some hybrids remain a better choice for emissions. Financially, EV owners in 50 major U.S. cities can save between $750 and $1,200 annually in fuel costs when using the lowest-cost electricity plans, with significant additional savings available through time-of-use (TOU) rate plans, particularly in California.

The report identifies systemic barriers to evidence-based decision-making regarding hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the U.S., including industry interference in academic and government research, legal loopholes in federal environmental laws, and a lack of transparency regarding chemical use. It highlights how non-disclosure agreements in legal settlements silence affected citizens and hide scientific data. The document provides a framework for communities to seek reliable information and calls for comprehensive laws requiring baseline and ongoing environmental monitoring and full chemical disclosure.

The report argues that genetic engineering has provided modest results in addressing agricultural drought, exemplified by Monsanto's DroughtGard corn, which offers limited protection under moderate drought and no benefit in severe conditions. It finds that conventional breeding and improved farming practices are often more cost-effective and successful. The author highlights that drought tolerance is a complex trait involving many genes, making single-gene GE approaches limited, and notes a lack of evidence that GE has improved water-use efficiency (WUE). The report recommends increasing public support for conventional breeding, focusing on drought-tolerant 'orphan crops' from the Southern Hemisphere, and investing in soil and water conservation.

The report argues that global meat consumption, particularly beef, is a primary driver of tropical deforestation due to extreme land-use inefficiency. It highlights that beef uses about three-fifths of global agricultural land while providing less than 5% of global protein. The authors propose solutions including increasing livestock productivity on existing lands, shifting diets from beef to more land-efficient proteins like poultry or pork, and eliminating government subsidies that encourage forest clearing. The document also examines the role of corporate moratoriums and the environmental costs of confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

The Union of Concerned Scientists explains its analysis of 28 S&P 500 companies, finding that half misrepresented climate science in public communications despite expressing general concern about climate change. The document highlights the contradiction between corporate public images and their indirect actions, such as funding anti-climate science members of Congress or trade groups. It argues that current disclosure requirements are insufficient to hold corporations accountable for their influence on national and state-level climate policy, including efforts to undercut wind energy and roll back renewable energy laws.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats that can be blended with or replace conventional diesel. While biodiesel produced from waste materials can reduce global warming pollution by 80 to 90 percent, production from unused edible oils can drive deforestation, particularly through the expansion of palm oil in Southeast Asia. The document notes that policy-driven demand often exceeds the supply of low-carbon sources, risking the use of 'dirty sources' that undermine the fuel's environmental benefits. It distinguishes biodiesel from 'renewable diesel' and 'bio-jet' fuels, which are processed with hydrogen to create 'drop-in fuels' that are nearly indistinguishable from conventional petroleum fuels.

The document explains that ethanol's environmental benefit depends on its feedstock and production method, as determined by lifecycle emissions analysis. While current U.S. gasoline typically contains 10 percent ethanol and 15 million flex-fuel vehicles exist, the author argues that non-food sources—such as agricultural waste, grasses, and algae—are essential to achieve a 90 percent reduction in emissions compared to gasoline and to halve projected U.S. oil use within twenty years.