The Spotlight
Getting There GreenerTravel season is coming! While the popularity of "green" vacations has skyrocketed in the past few years, most information focuses on what to do when you get to your destination, not on how to get there. Our report, Getting There Greener, compares the environmental impact of different forms of domestic vacation travel, where global warming pollution—largely in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions—can add up quickly.
Take the Green Travel Pledge | Get the Quick Facts (pdf) | Read the Report (pdf)
News
Features
- UCS Fact Checker
Heard some dubious claims about science recently? We sure have—and in our new Fact Checker section, we call out the distorters and show you the facts without the noise.
- Burning Coal, Burning Cash: Ranking the States That Import the Most Coal
Importing coal is a major drain on state economies. UCS shows the scale of these costs, and suggests how those funds can instead be invested in energy efficiency and homegrown clean energy.
- National Oil Savings Plan
UCS outlines a suite of policies to cut our nation's oil dependence. These policies include boosting the fuel economy of our vehicles, producing clean biofuels, and investing in the next generation of advanced vehicles that do not rely exclusively on oil.
Analysis
- A Better Climate Bill
While the increases in efficiency and renewable electricity standards called for under ACES are achievable and affordable, a new UCS analysis reveals impressive conumer benefits would result from further increasing the emphasis on renewable power.
- No Sure Fix: GE Plants and Nitrogen Overuse
A new UCS analysis shows that despite increasing research efforts, no genetically engineered plants have been able to curb pollution from nitrogen overuse in industrial farming. Traditional breeding methods, however, have shown some progress.
- Impacts Of California's Global Warming Law
A December 2009 analysis of California's AB 32 law limiting emissions shows that even if California’s small businesses do nothing to decrease their energy use over the next 10 years, they will likely experience only a small and manageable impact from the state’s policies to reduce global warming pollution.
Policy Center
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The UCS Policy Center contains updates and background information on specific federal, regional, and local policy proposals, as well as fact sheets, testimony, letters, and UCS positions, including the two links below:
- Economic Facts on Curbing Global Warming Emissions
An economic analysis shows tremendous long-term gains offset the initial costs of reining in global warming emissions. Help urge legislators to make the right choices in crafting a climate policy.
- Status of US Comprehensive Climate & Energy Legislation
The House of Representatives passed a comprehensive climate and energy bill in 2009. Several climate and energy bills have been released in the Senate in the last year, but the full Senate has yet to vote on a single one.
Consumer Info
- The UCS Hybrid Scorecard
The UCS Hybrid Scorecard is the first comprehensive listing of hybrid vehicles available on the US market. Vehicles are scored on both environmental performance and value, easing the burden on the planet and your pocketbook.
- Cool It! Global Warming Card Game
Cool It! is the new card game from UCS that teaches kids about the choices we have when it comes to climate change—and how policy and technology decisions made today will matter.
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Eggs and Meat from Community Agriculture
While confined animal feeding operations in the US deliver meat and eggs and tremendous environmental cost, community supported agriculture (CSA) can deliver these foods affordably, efficiently, and sustainably.
