When Dr. Shaun Marcott published a groundbreaking paper showing the world is warmer today than it has been for thousands of years, climate deniers started a smear campaign.¹ They sent him hate mail and spread misinformation—which some reporters bought into.

When Dr. Joseph Skorupa found that phosphate mines were poisoning fish, his supervisors at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service threatened repercussions if he took his research on The Daily Show. Skorupa says they told him agency leaders would “make your life hell” and even punish his colleagues.² He declined the show’s invitation.

As you’re considering your year-end charitable giving, think about the researchers who will be targeted in 2014. Think about the critical research that will be suppressed. And know that a gift you make today can help provide scientists the support to fight back. It’s not an easy job, but UCS members know what’s right isn’t always easy.

Help us defend science and scientists! Make a tax-deductible year-end gift today to reach our ambitious $400,000 goal for December.

Your gift today will help equip scientists to dive into the most pressing policy debates of our time—our ailing food system, dirty energy production, and a changing global climate. Because of you, more scientists will be able to fight the misleading rhetoric of industries and front groups.

Our Science Network gives 20,000 scientists and technical experts the chance to connect with policy makers and directly impact laws and policies that affect our families and our planet. We teach scientists how to clearly communicate their research to the public. And how to respond to attacks.

Please make a tax-deductible gift now and help defend scientists from attacks.

When you donate today, you’re making a wise investment.

UCS has received Charity Navigator‘s esteemed 4-star rating for the last seven straight years—an honor shared by only 2 percent of charities, and we were named one of the most effective organizations working on climate change by Guidestar‘s Philanthropedia.

UCS supporters are people from all walks of life—parents and businesspeople, biologists and physicists, teachers and students—more than 350,000 citizens and scientists who are committed to defending science, year in and year out. Thank you for being part of this powerful community.

Sincerely, Kathleen Rest, PhD, MPA Executive Director

1. http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2013/03/response-by-marcott-et-al/ 2. http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/vergano/2013/04/06/hansen-federal-scientists-communication/2053077/