Cambridge, MASS—Science is in a state of emergency, with attacks on state and federal levels undermining evidence- and data-backed decisions. In response, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has launched a Science Emergency Fund, to defend science and advance the organization’s highest-priority work.
Recent attacks on science include the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the “Chevron doctrine” earlier this year. This decision changes the decades-long practice of courts deferring to subject matter experts—including scientists at federal agencies—on how to implement and enforce laws and regulations.
“By limiting federal agencies and inviting lawsuits against the rules these agencies implement, this decision will profoundly undermine bedrock laws like the Clean Air Act that are meant to protect public health. Policies that should be based on the best available scientific evidence will be at risk of being dismantled by the whims and ideological preferences of unelected judges, and people will suffer as a result,” said Dr. Jennifer Jones, director of the Center for Science and Democracy at UCS. “The hubris of the majority in this case is hard to overstate. They’ve taken power from the elected branches of government and seized that power for themselves.”
Additionally, the far-right manifesto Project 2025 calls for shutting down multiple energy and environment-related government offices, shifting thousands of civil service positions to be political appointees, and eliminating “climate change references from absolutely everywhere.” Some states are already putting anti-science and inhumane policies into place, such as prohibiting cities and counties from enacting local heat-protection standards for outdoor workers, who often labor in extreme and potentially deadly heat.
Meanwhile, updates from scientific agencies—including the latest bulletin from Copernicus—are signaling they expect 2024 will be the hottest year on record for the world, edging out the previous record set just last year.
“The latest scientific data shows a devastating scientific duality: not only is 2024 on track to be the hottest year on record, but it could also be one of the coolest years we’ll see in the decades ahead,” said Dr. Kristina Dahl, a principal climate scientist at UCS.
“Global heat-trapping emissions continue to rise and, as a result, people in the United States and around the world are experiencing relentless climate impacts like record-breaking heatwaves, droughts, storms, wildfires and sea level rise. The year isn’t over yet, but already the country has endured 19 extreme weather and climate-related disasters that contributed to the deaths of 149 people and caused more than $49.6 billion in damages.”
For these reasons and more, UCS has launched the Science Emergency Fund to harness the power of science for a safer, healthier and more just world. Gifts supporting the Science Emergency Fund will allow our member-supported charity to:
✔️ Champion science-based decisionmaking by exposing political attacks on science, mobilizing and expanding the UCS Science Network, and ensuring scientists’ work at federal agencies is free from suppression and distortion by passing the Scientific Integrity Act.
✔️ Slash climate change emissions by speeding the growth of renewable energy and clean transportation to accelerate a phase-out of fossil fuels, ensuring equitable, sustainable and affordable solutions for all communities.
✔️ Make polluters pay by providing the scientific evidence for prosecutors and members of Congress to hold Chevron, ExxonMobil and other fossil fuel companies accountable for their disinformation, fraud and outsized contributions to climate change.
✔️ Restore our democracy and protect free and fair elections using the best available science to advance recommendations from our Center for Science and Democracy in battleground states and counties.
“Whatever happens next politically, it’s more important than ever to defend science: Millions of lives and livelihoods are at risk. UCS has a proven record of progress regardless of who is in office—and 100 percent of every dollar raised for the Science Emergency Fund will advance the most urgent UCS programs and initiatives,” said Julia Kent, chief development officer at UCS. “In the coming months, our boldest plans are at risk of falling short without more funding. We thank all our members and supporters for their past generosity and hope they can continue to make our work possible to meet the challenges we’re facing.”
Learn more at act.ucsusa.org/ScienceEmergencyFund.