Watchdogs and Whistleblowers

Abstract

For many years now, I’ve been a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a nonprofit partnership of thousands of scientists and other actively involved citizens. I’d like to tell you about this organization and its activities. I think you’ll find this information interesting and useful. “OK,” you say skeptically; “UCS probably consists of a bunch of weirdo scientists and other radical social elements. Why should I take time out of my busy schedule to pay attention to what you or they have to say? Who needs ‘em anyway?” So what is the UCS really concerned about, and what do they do to act upon their concerns? What types of information do they examine? What services do they provide? What policies do they support? Let’s try to answer these questions concisely, in just a few paragraphs, so as to take as little of your time as possible. Above all, the UCS has earned my respect, and that of the scientific community, by sticking to the facts. They rigorously analyze scientific material and verify its authenticity. They display an unparalleled level of integrity. Scientists and informed citizens have come to trust the Union to provide accurate, scientifically based information. But that is only the beginning. The UCS promotes innovative policy development and effective citizen advocacy to achieve practical solutions to our social, political and environmental problems. These problems include everyday concerns such as energy, transportation and pollution, but they also deal with international problems such as the threats of global warming, nuclear war and species extinction. The Union always relies on sound science and logic to secure governmental policy, corporate practices and consumer choices that will improve the health of our global environment. It attempts to serve as humanity’s stewards of the Earth, focusing on activities in the United States. Since 2000, the UCS has also been outspoken in defending governmental scientists against political Water Air Soil Pollut (2009) 199:1–2 DOI 10.1007/s11270-006-9277-9