The United States has enjoyed sustained prosperity, security and health over much of its history in large part because of our strong commitment to independent and rigorous science. Sound decisions start with the best possible information, grounded in fact and tested by reason. And free inquiry flourishes best in a free society.
The Founding Fathers understood the importance of this partnership, as did leaders from Lincoln to Eisenhower, FDR to JFK. Because of our nation's high regard for scientific expertise, the United States became recognized in the 20th century as the global leader in science and innovation.
A Troubling Trend
In recent years, however, understanding of science and respect for its role in decision making have declined. An excessively partisan political climate and an increasingly noisy media landscape have combined to produce an environment in which science is easily drowned out by misinformation or manipulated for the benefit of private interests.
And this couldn't be happening at a worse time. Our leaders are grappling with some of the most complex and daunting problems in our history: stemming the tide of global warming, finding sustainable ways to feed, power and transport ourselves, reducing the threat of catastrophic war. We cannot hope to solve these problems without the aid of rigorous, independent science.
Restoring Science's Role
In response to these challenges, the Union of Concerned Scientists has launched a new intiative: the Center for Science and Democracy. The Center is dedicated to restoring the essential role of science, evidence-based knowledge, and constructive debate in the U.S. policymaking process, using three core strategies:
- Restoring public confidence in, and support for, the use of independent science in public policy making;
- Helping decision makers, citizens and journalists distinguish evidence-based information from propaganda;
- Working with scientists to help them become more effective communicators and policy contributors.
The Center's Activities
The Center's work takes many forms, including the following:
- Convening Science and Democracy Forums.
- Motivating leadership by building a network of science and democracy advocates among business, health, education, and religious leaders.
- Promoting two-way dialogues between experts and non-experts.
- Increasing accountability for the misuse of science by releasing an annual report on “Science in Our Democracy.”
- Building the capacity of scientists to respond to harassment.
Find Out More
For more information about how to get involved and to learn about opportunities to support the Center, please contact Pallavi Phartiyal at pphartiyal@ucsusa.org or 617-301-8039.
The Center for Science and Democracy | Union of Concerned Scientists
The Union of Concerned Scientists 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.
What began as a collaboration between students and faculty members at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1969 is now an alliance of more than 400,000 citizens and scientists. UCS members are people from all walks of life: parents and businesspeople, biologists and physicists, teachers and students. Our achievements over the decades show that thoughtful action based on the best available science can help safeguard our future and the future of our planet.
UCS: Independent Science, Practical Solutions | Union of Concerned Scientists
The Union of Concerned Scientists 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.
What began as a collaboration between students and faculty members at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1969 is now an alliance of more than 400,000 citizens and scientists. UCS members are people from all walks of life: parents and businesspeople, biologists and physicists, teachers and students. Our achievements over the decades show that thoughtful action based on the best available science can help safeguard our future and the future of our planet.
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