IEER provides activists, policy-makers, journalists, and the public with understandable and accurate scientific and technical information on energy and environmental issues. Our aim is to bring scientific excellence to public policy issues in order to promote the democratization of science and a safer, healthier environment. Background & Accomplishments Staff Funders Global Outreach Project Healthy from the Start Campaign Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free Campaign

Our Commitment: Science and Democracy While scientists write for each other, they do so largely in "peer-reviewed" journals. When the process works well it means that a number of qualified people have looked over the research and commented on it before publication. But the very term "peer review" means that the people who are affected by those decisions are not only left out of the review, they are generally not even a part of the audience. IEER's aim is to provide people with literature which has a quality equal to that in scientific journals, but which doesn't require you to go back to college to get a degree in science to understand it. Our audience is that of the determined activist concerned about the world, the concerned policy-maker, and the knowledgeable journalist. We choose our subjects so that they are relevant to environmental protection and other aspects of human well-being. We rely mainly on primary scientific literature and official documents, and our work has held up well to intense scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors, as well as others who have reason to dislike our conclusions, such as this writer: I applaud your effort to improve the practical knowledge and skills of non-technical citizens in the areas of nuclear technology. I also found the light and humorous tone of the newsletter refreshing. You are obviously critical of the DOE "establishment." Perhaps some of your frustration about our current state of affairs stems from the growth, institutionalization, and bureaucratization of activities that were once driven, guided and executed by the principles of scientific inquiry." -James G. Toscas, Executive Director (1993) American Nuclear Society Thank you for your kind note. The problem that IEER has found is that the work of the nuclear establishment (both governmental and private) on health and environmental issues has never been consistently guided by principles of sound science. Rather, public relations and an underlying agenda to push nuclear power and nuclear weapons production have dominated and often overwhelmed science. -Arjun Makhijani, President, IEER Science Can be Fun. (No, really!) While we are dedicated to providing sound technical information, we do not believe it must be a painful process. IEER technical trainings and our newsletters, Science for Democratic Action and its international counterpart Energy & Security, present not only accessible science, but fun science as well. Just ask Dr. Egghead! The newsletter is just great. I just *loved* the techno-weenie centerfold pin-up [a.k.a. Science for the Critical Masses]. I'm still not able to do the math problems, but I read them religiously anyway. I appreciate your work. With all due deference to the Creator, I suggest you stop reading the problems religiously and start doing them arithmetically. --Dr. Egghead Science for Democratic Action includes a lighter side to science without compromising its accuracy or integrity. From Atomic Puzzlers, to Dr. Egghead, to Centerfolds for Technoweenies (a.k.a. Science for the Critical Masses), Science for Democratic Action is the learning tool of choice for well-informed activists. Our technical training workshops are another way we bring science to the activists with a minimum of pain. At least these workshop participants lived to tell about it: IEER has opened up my understanding to much knowledge that has helped me in my own efforts and has given me more confidence. What I have learned I have found most useful, especially in helping my people. *** I have gained a lot from the workshops and will use all I've learned back in my community. I really appreciate the opportunity and the gift of new knowledge and exchange of ideas. *** IEER also publishes an international newsletter, Energy & Security, the cornerstone of our "Nuclear Material Dangers" global outreach program. Generally speaking, Energy & Security is a translation of Science for Democratic Action, and is published in Russian, French, Chinese, and Japanese. This allows us to provide an international audience with the same accurate and understandable technical information that is the foundation of our reputation in the United States. Energy & Security provides activists, policy makers, and journalists around the world with the tools they need to effectively address problems related to nuclear materials and technologies. IEER's workshops and newsletters are backed up by technically sound factsheets, reports, and publications as well as by the expertise of our highly trained staff, and our more than 10 years of experience. Want to know more? Read on.... IEER's Background and Accomplishments The Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER) began work in 1987. Our focus has been mainly on two areas: ozone layer depletion and energy-related climate issues; and environmental and security aspects of nuclear weapons production and nuclear technology. To that end, IEER has: evaluated releases of radioactive materials into the environment near nuclear weapons plants; assessed the global health and environmental effects of nuclear weapons and testing; provided technical support to grassroots groups concerned with the effects of nuclear weapons production; conducted many technical training workshops on nuclear-weapons-related issues for grassroots activists; and initiated national and international outreach and education on plutonium disposition. Other highlights of IEER's work include: the first independent re-estimation of releases of radioactive materials from a nuclear weapons plant; the first ever reassessment of internal radiation doses to nuclear weapons plant workers; the successful effort to add carbon tetrachloride to the list of chemicals banned due to their effect on ozone depletion; the publication of numerous books and publications on nuclear and energy issues, including Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free, and Nuclear Wastelands, and Mending the Ozone Hole. (See Publications page.) The growing influence of IEER's work, mainly the result of our sound technical studies and reports, has allowed us to complement our earlier work with greater national and international efforts. In 1994 we launched an international program centered on a goal to have plutonium declared a liability. In 1995 we hosted an International Symposium on plutonium and highly enriched uranium focusing on fissile materials and the Non-Proliferation Treaty, fissile materials in Russia, and the civilian plutonium programs of Japan, Britain, France and India. In 1996 we began our global outreach project, "Nuclear Materials Dangers," covering nuclear material dangers and sustainable energy. That same year we began publishing our international newsletter in Russian, French, and English (the first 4 issues), as well as Chinese and Japanese. This Web site now includes links in some of these languages. Please continue to explore IEER! On our Web site you'll find our: Fabulous Factsheet File On-Line Technical Training Classroom Publications Our newsletters: Science for Democratic Action and Energy & Security Staff Bios Links Site Subject Index Latest Postings Enjoy your visit! Be sure to stop by often, as this site is frequently updated.

What people say about IEER: I love and admire the way you guys work to de-mystify nuclear physics/power/weapons. *** I appreciate the information [produced by IEER] as I am working to bring a stop to the planned MRS storage dump here on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as others in the group fight along with me. *** It's very motivating to have scientific support like IEER publications, and reading them is fun -- a rare event in the often stubborn long-term work for a nuclear free world. *** Thank you for your thoughtful, witty and fact-filled magazine... Technoweenies unite! *** Thanks for your newsletter, especially the jokes...a welcome relief!