Union of Concerned Scientists

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{{#badges:CoalSwarm}} The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) "is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices." [1]

"The Union of Concerned Scientists is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Founded in 1969, it was born out of a teach-in organized by a group of scientists and students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to protest the militarization of scientific research and promote science in the public interest." [2]

Support for a Moratorium on New Coal Plants

In a study released in October, 2008, the Union of Concerned Scientists called for a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants that do not capture their carbon dioxide emissions. The authors of the study wrote that the United States should:

Stop building new coal-fired power plants without CCS. Each new coal plant built without CCS represents a major long-term source of CO2. It is not safe to assume that new coal plants built today without CCS could cost-effectively add it later, because the cost of CCS (considerable even when included in the plant’s original design) would be much higher if added as a retrofit. The federal government should therefore adopt a strong performance standard limiting CO2 emissions from new coal plants, which will prevent the construction of any plant not employing CCS from the outset. Until such a policy is put in place, state regulators should evaluate proposed plants using a projected range of prices those plants would likely have to pay for their CO2 emissions under a capand-trade program.[3]

Agriculture, factory farming and concern over use of antibiotics

In 2001, the Union of Concerned Scientists announced that antibiotics in factory farms account for the overwhelming majority of all antibiotic use in the country. Antibiotics administered to people in the U.S. annually to treat diseases equal 3 million pounds; whereas antibiotics administered to livestock in the U.S. annually equal 24.6 million pounds. [4], [5] The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that antibiotics administered to livestock are approximately eight times the amount administered to people for illnesses. [6] See also Meat & Dairy industry, section 4.7.

Directors

Accessed September 2009: [7]

Directors (2007)

Accessed August 2007: [8]

UCS Board Members

Contact

2 Brattle Square
Cambridge, MA 02238
Phone: 617-547-5552
Fax: 617-864-9405
Web: http://www.ucsusa.org

Resources

Related SourceWatch articles

References

  1. ↑ What We Do, UCS, accessed August 3, 2007.
  2. ↑ History, Union of Concerned Scientists, accessed September 1, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Coal Power in A Warming World," (Executive Summary) Union of Concerned Scientists, October 2008
  4. ↑ Denise Grady Scientists See Higher Use Of Antibiotics on Farms, January 8, 2001
  5. ↑ Lynn Truong The Cost of Meat—The Public Health Argument, Wisebread, May 2007
  6. ↑ Brian Colleran Think Before You Eat The Widespread Effects of Factory-Farmed Meat, e-magazine.com, accessed January 2009
  7. ↑ Directors, Union of Concerned Scientists, accessed September 1, 2009.
  8. ↑ About UCS, UCS, accessed August 3, 2007.

UCS Reports

External Links

Coal vs. wind comparison, Union of Concerned Scientists website, accessed February 2008.

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