Activism and Science - UCS Campaign Highlights Fall 2005

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In the face of considerable odds, UCS, our activists, and allies have achieved a great deal in the last few months. While Congress has been tied up pointing fingers at one another, we have helped halt the development of a new nuclear weapon, helped achieve major clean air victories in a number of states, and helped improve the independence of federal science advisory committees. Looking forward, we have exciting opportunities and big challenges ahead of us. In 2006, we will work together to expand our climate solutions campaign, increase demand for renewable energy, and expose the Bush administration's abuse and misuse of science. Thank you for continuing to take action to improve the health and the safety of our world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food and Environment

 

 

As the holiday season draws to a close, many of us are left with warm memories of time spent with family and friends, much of it lingering over tables overflowing with lovingly prepared and time-honored seasonal dishes. But where did this food come from? Who grew it, and what were the effects of its production on the environment and human health? At UCS, we spent the months leading up to this holiday season working with governments and private companies to curb the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture; investigating risky new breeds of genetically engineered crops; and working to promote consumption of healthy and affordable foods that are good to eat and good for the planet. More...

 

 

 

Biodiversity

 

 

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has provided protection to our most threatened and endangered plants and animals for more than 30 years. However, new efforts are underway to weaken the ESA, undermining its scientific foundation, and crippling federal efforts to protect and preserve wildlife and the places they live. More...In December, in an extremely controversial move, a provision to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was added to the defense appropriations bill. Though the defense bill passed the House, the Senate had a much tougher battle. The measure was ultimately stripped from the appropriations bill, which subsequently passed the Senate. This is a tremendous victory for environmentalists and the future of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. More...

 

 

 

Global Security

 

 

You and UCS achieved an enormous victory this fall when Congress, for the second year in a row, denied all funding for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator, a new nuclear weapon the Bush administration was seeking to develop. More...

 

 

 

Scientific Integrity

 

 

In October, UCS cemented its commitment to preventing political interference in science by transforming what started as a two-year campaign into an ongoing program. And in the final days of 2005, after months of pressure on Congress from a growing network of scientists and citizen activists, President Bush signed first-of-its-kind legislation that would prohibit the selection of science advisory committee nominees based on political affiliation. More...

 

 

 

Clean Vehicles

 

 

This fall, the public demand for stronger fuel economy standards continued to grow, despite automaker resistance. In November, UCS, our allies, and activists around the country sent over 100,000 messages to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) demanding stronger fuel economy standards. Also this fall, Congress reacted to gas price fluctuations and increased public demand for reducing U.S. oil dependence with a flurry of new legislative initiatives. Progress also continued at the state level to enact strong auto emissions standards. More...

 

 

 

 

Clean Energy

 

 

Members and activists helped UCS win several important clean energy victories in 2005. Visit our September update for more details. Unfortunately, in the last few months, Congress has recklessly cut clean energy programs. With Americans facing record high home heating costs and the threat of global warming clear, Congress should be investing more in clean, renewable energy programs. With your help, in 2006 UCS will work towards federal clean energy funding and will continue to advance important state clean energy policies across the country. More...

 

 

 

California

 

 

UCS activists helped score crucial California clean energy and clean air victories this fall. After receiving more comments than ever on a single issue, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has proposed to boost solar funding to $3.2 billion over the next 11 years—creating the biggest solar program in the nation, and, after Germany, the second biggest in the world! UCS staff and activists also played essential roles in the passage of new state and regional clean air regulations limiting diesel truck idling to five minutes and thus preventing tons of global warming emissions and air pollution from being emitted every year, and reducing development-related pollution in the Central Valley. More...

 

 

 

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

 

 

On December 20, after two years of negotiations, seven northeastern states reached a landmark agreement to reduce global warming pollution from power plants. This pact, known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, aims to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, a chief heat-trapping gas. It also sends a strong signal that Americans are ready to implement innovative solutions to meet the challenge of global warming. UCS experts worked with state officials on the development of this plan and our activists sent many thousands of letters to their governors about the need for regional efforts on global warming. More...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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