For more than 30 years, the Union of Concerned Scientists has brought together the knowledge and power of the scientific community with the passion of concerned citizens to address our country's—and the world's—most critical arms control and environmental issues. Here are just some of our key accomplishments:

1979  
UCS calls for the shutdown of Three Mile Island (and 15 other nuclear power plants) because of safety concerns, just two months prior to the near-meltdown at TMI.

1983
UCS opposition to President Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative ("Star Wars") succeeds in scaling back the program over the next nine years.

1987
UCS successfully sues the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to strengthen safety enforcement at nuclear power plants.

1990
UCS launches its efforts to prevent climate change with a statement endorsed by 700 members of the National Academy of Sciences.

1991
UCS forces the shutdown of the Yankee Rowe nuclear power plant due to safety concerns.

1992
More than 1,500 prominent international scientists sign the "World Scientists' Warning to Humanity," written by UCS Board Chairman Henry Kendall, which documents major threats to the environment.

1993
New analytic techniques pioneered by UCS demonstrate the potential for renewable energy in the Midwest, setting the stage for substantial market growth.

1995
UCS launches the Sound Science Initiative, a national network of scientists committed to debunking "junk science" on climate change and biodiversity.

1997
UCS leads American NGOs to negotiations that result in the Kyoto Protocol climate change treaty.

1998
UCS and others convince California to require SUVs and light trucks to meet the same tailpipe emissions standards as cars.

2000
UCS's Countermeasures report helps convince President Bill Clinton not to deploy a national missile defense system.

2001
UCS issues the first-ever analysis of antibiotics in livestock feed, demonstrating that their widespread overuse threatens the efficacy of drugs used in human medicine.

2002
UCS plays a key role in two major California victories: the first global warming emissions rules for cars and light trucks and the nation's strongest renewable electricity standard.