2023 Annual Report

No matter where you live, chances are almost certain you were affected by climate change this year.

Scientists have been warning us for decades to expect more extreme weather as a result of climate change, but even for those of us close to the data it’s hard not to feel shocked by the reality. Waves of heavy rain and snow on the West Coast. Hazardous air over the Great Plains and Southeast from northern wildfires. Relentless heat waves in the South and Southwest. Historic flooding in New England and New York. Hurricane Idalia in Florida. The horrific wildfire on Maui.

The intensity of these events, here and around the world, makes it clear that the climate crisis is progressing beyond debate, denial, or delay. We must stop burning fossil fuels. As Rachel Cleetus, our policy director for climate and energy, told the Boston Globe, “Everything we care about is on the line now.”

This report speaks to the progress you made possible in 2023. You’ll see examples of our determination to seize every opportunity to drive down heat-trapping emissions and build a healthier planet, a safer world, and a more just society. Your ongoing support enables us to take full advantage of each one.

For example, we seized on public interest in the film Oppenheimer to reach across the political aisle and achieve a bipartisan victory for survivors of nuclear weapons testing. We deployed science to make sure the benefits of humanity’s largest-ever federal investment in climate justice—the Inflation Reduction Act— reach the most affected communities. And we brought farmers and farmworkers to meet their elected officials in Washington, DC, to call for a food and farm bill that supports their well-being, protects the environment, and feeds the hungry, instead of lining the pockets of Big Agriculture.

These efforts—and many more you’ll read about in the pages ahead—represent complex, often multi-year efforts anchored in the rigorous, respected scientific research the Union of Concerned Scientists is known for. This work simply would not be possible without you and your commitment to our mission.

We’re gaining ground in driving fair, science-informed solutions that matter. For our children and future generations, we must keep the momentum going as we enter a crucial election year. And in collaboration with steadfast partners like you, we’ll succeed. We are so grateful for your ongoing support.

The Union of Concerned Scientists continues to benefit from the generosity of our more than 100,000 members and foundations, who work in partnership with us to build a healthy planet and safer world. The majority of our support—83 percent—came from generous individual donors through outright and planned gifts, while support from foundations represented 15 percent of our revenue.

Eighty-six percent of every dollar donated to UCS in fiscal year 2023 directly funded our program work, with the remaining 14 percent spent on the critical administrative infrastructure and fundraising that support our programs. With an annual budget of $50 million, UCS continues to strengthen our unique ability to help solve our planet’s most pressing problems with the power of independent science.

We are deeply grateful for your dedication and support. This work would not be possible without your commitment to building a better world together. Thank you.