David Watkins is the Director of Government Affairs for the Climate & Energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. In his role, he works with UCS experts to insure that climate and energy policy is informed by rigorous, up-to-date science.
Prior to joining UCS, Mr. Watkins served as the Democratic staff director for the House Natural Resources Committee, developing federal environmental policies and moving significant conservation and climate legislation to pass the House of Representatives, including the Great American Outdoors Act. He has spent over 25 years on Capitol Hill, working on issues including climate and energy policy, environmental justice legislation, oceans, and ecology—and prioritizing reliable, accessible scientific information as part of the democratic process.
Mr. Watkins earned a JD from the University of Texas, Austin, and a BS in political science and government from Swarthmore College.