Dr. Tara Drozdenko
@tdrozdenko.bsky.social
Director, Global Security Program @Union of Concerned Scientists. Working to reduce the risk of nuclear war, address the injustice and harm done by nuclear weapons, and move us closer to a world free from nuclear weapons. Oxford Comma enthusiast.
Trump recently tweeted he was directing the DoD to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis [with other countries] www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
Trump Threatens to Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing, Minutes Before Xi Meeting
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Trump recently tweeted he was directing the DoD to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis [with other countries] www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
As the US prepares to spend as much as $38 billion to produce hundreds of new explosive cores, called plutonium pits, to arm new nuclear weapons, our new analysis argues new pits aren’t necessary to maintain the existing US nuclear arsenal.
Read our report: act.ucsusa.org/4kZ4X9p
Read our report: act.ucsusa.org/4kZ4X9p
May 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
As the US prepares to spend as much as $38 billion to produce hundreds of new explosive cores, called plutonium pits, to arm new nuclear weapons, our new analysis argues new pits aren’t necessary to maintain the existing US nuclear arsenal.
Read our report: act.ucsusa.org/4kZ4X9p
Read our report: act.ucsusa.org/4kZ4X9p
The last 100 days have been an unprecedented assault on American science. Our scientists. Our institutions. And the people around the world who rely on it. We must stand united and speak up. Our collective future depends on it. #ScienceMatters www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPlu... savesciencenow.org
You Need Science. Now Science Needs You.
YouTube video by Union of Concerned Scientists
www.youtube.com
April 30, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The last 100 days have been an unprecedented assault on American science. Our scientists. Our institutions. And the people around the world who rely on it. We must stand united and speak up. Our collective future depends on it. #ScienceMatters www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPlu... savesciencenow.org
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
Not sure why this took years to publish but I am happy it finally saw the light of day. My contribution makes the case against extending US nuclear deterrence guarantees to cover first use in a conventional war with China over Taiwan.
Avoiding Self-Deterrence in the Context of Nuclear Ambiguity | NSI
nsiteam.com
April 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Not sure why this took years to publish but I am happy it finally saw the light of day. My contribution makes the case against extending US nuclear deterrence guarantees to cover first use in a conventional war with China over Taiwan.
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
My colleague Dr. Chanese Forté appeared on the Travis Smiley show discussing her work on the impacts of nuclear weapons production, testing & development all too easily lead to exposure to harmful radiation, which happens all to often to indigenous communities. Listen here: youtu.be/zH3DWGv2D9s?...
Tavis Smiley LIVE 10am
YouTube video by KBLA 1580
youtu.be
April 23, 2025 at 5:25 PM
My colleague Dr. Chanese Forté appeared on the Travis Smiley show discussing her work on the impacts of nuclear weapons production, testing & development all too easily lead to exposure to harmful radiation, which happens all to often to indigenous communities. Listen here: youtu.be/zH3DWGv2D9s?...
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
We have some great work being done here @ucsusa.bsky.social by Kendall Fellow @lmcclure.bsky.social (now faculty at UNC). Check out her work on community engaged research around the Hanford Facility, which remains one of the most contaminated and complex legacies of US nuclear weapons production.
Justice for Downwinder Communities in Washington
The Hanford nuclear site closed decades ago, but community members are still waiting for recognition of its costs to their health.
blog.ucs.org
April 9, 2025 at 4:29 PM
We have some great work being done here @ucsusa.bsky.social by Kendall Fellow @lmcclure.bsky.social (now faculty at UNC). Check out her work on community engaged research around the Hanford Facility, which remains one of the most contaminated and complex legacies of US nuclear weapons production.
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
"Shocking" (not) news of the day: the US Air Force, after completely mismanaging a massive, unneeded effort to build high-priced, destabilizing, vulnerable land-based, nuclear-armed missiles, is looking to extend the life of the ones they already have until 2050: gulfnews.com/world/americ...
Air Force weighs keeping 1970s-era missiles until 2050
Current plan is to remove all 400 Minuteman III ICBMs made by Boeing from silos by 2039
gulfnews.com
March 28, 2025 at 6:42 PM
"Shocking" (not) news of the day: the US Air Force, after completely mismanaging a massive, unneeded effort to build high-priced, destabilizing, vulnerable land-based, nuclear-armed missiles, is looking to extend the life of the ones they already have until 2050: gulfnews.com/world/americ...
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
Important new piece from my colleague Dr. Chanese Forté, who interviews Dr. Amanda Nichols & Mary Olson on why federal radiation regulations can no longer ignore women & girls. TL/DR: Women & girls are more radiosensitive - more likely to face harm from radiation: blog.ucsusa.org/chanese-fort...
Why Federal Radiation Regulations Can No Longer Ignore Women and Girls
UCS interviewed the co-authors of a UN report on how certain groups are harmed by radiation more than others.
blog.ucsusa.org
February 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Important new piece from my colleague Dr. Chanese Forté, who interviews Dr. Amanda Nichols & Mary Olson on why federal radiation regulations can no longer ignore women & girls. TL/DR: Women & girls are more radiosensitive - more likely to face harm from radiation: blog.ucsusa.org/chanese-fort...
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
🚨The Trump administration has illegally seized power not granted to it by the US Constitution and is actively disregarding the rule of law.
February 13, 2025 at 8:50 PM
🚨The Trump administration has illegally seized power not granted to it by the US Constitution and is actively disregarding the rule of law.
I am wondering what happens to retired government employee pensions if millions of government workers are laid off and are no longer paying into the pension system? Anybody know?
February 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I am wondering what happens to retired government employee pensions if millions of government workers are laid off and are no longer paying into the pension system? Anybody know?
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
Will the DOGE, which is willy-nilly ignoring laws, regulations, guidelines, codes and any other normal procedure, gain access to US nuclear weapons secrets? Two members of Congress wrote to the Department of Energy, responsible for the nuclear stockpile, appropriately worried about the possibility.
Democratic US lawmakers ask Energy Department about any DOGE access to nuclear data
Two U.S. Democratic lawmakers pressed the secretary of energy on Wednesday whether members of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency have access to classified information on nuclear weapons, saying nuclear secrets need to be tightly safeguarded.
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Will the DOGE, which is willy-nilly ignoring laws, regulations, guidelines, codes and any other normal procedure, gain access to US nuclear weapons secrets? Two members of Congress wrote to the Department of Energy, responsible for the nuclear stockpile, appropriately worried about the possibility.
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
THRILLED to see the Times supporting @aliciaguzman.bsky.social's great reporting in New Mexico.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/u...
Share Your Experiences at Los Alamos National Laboratory
The New York Times would like to hear from you about workplace protocols and safety measures at LANL.
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
THRILLED to see the Times supporting @aliciaguzman.bsky.social's great reporting in New Mexico.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/u...
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
Yesterday the NNSA held a hearing on the future of Los Alamos National Lab, where the government plans to resume bulk production of plutonium pits for use in new nuclear weapons for the 1st time since the end of the Cold War. The hearing got a little rowdy: www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_n...
Critics at hearing speak out against expansion plan, pit production at LANL
A public hearing Tuesday in Santa Fe is one of several opportunities for people to weigh in on a draft environmental assessment.
www.santafenewmexican.com
February 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Yesterday the NNSA held a hearing on the future of Los Alamos National Lab, where the government plans to resume bulk production of plutonium pits for use in new nuclear weapons for the 1st time since the end of the Cold War. The hearing got a little rowdy: www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_n...
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
🚨 The Trump administration is attempting to seize power beyond what the Constitution allows—giving Elon Musk, an unelected billionaire, unchecked influence.
As a federal scientist, expert, or civil servant, you have rights. Don’t let them bully you.
These resources can help: act.ucsusa.org/4hqSJoz
As a federal scientist, expert, or civil servant, you have rights. Don’t let them bully you.
These resources can help: act.ucsusa.org/4hqSJoz
February 6, 2025 at 4:11 PM
🚨 The Trump administration is attempting to seize power beyond what the Constitution allows—giving Elon Musk, an unelected billionaire, unchecked influence.
As a federal scientist, expert, or civil servant, you have rights. Don’t let them bully you.
These resources can help: act.ucsusa.org/4hqSJoz
As a federal scientist, expert, or civil servant, you have rights. Don’t let them bully you.
These resources can help: act.ucsusa.org/4hqSJoz
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
If you're thinking Trump's space-based missile defense proposal is a good idea, think again. youtu.be/fEkXTV69yo4?...
Space-based Missile Defense: Not a Good Idea
YouTube video by Union of Concerned Scientists
youtu.be
February 5, 2025 at 8:28 PM
If you're thinking Trump's space-based missile defense proposal is a good idea, think again. youtu.be/fEkXTV69yo4?...
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
If President Trump is serious about negotiating with China on nuclear arms control, @gkucs.bsky.social has some advice to bring China to the negotiating table:
China is Willing to Negotiate on Nuclear Arms, But Not on Trump’s Terms
Here are four steps that might bring Beijing to the table.
www.defenseone.com
January 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM
If President Trump is serious about negotiating with China on nuclear arms control, @gkucs.bsky.social has some advice to bring China to the negotiating table:
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
Today the Senate Armed Services Committee held a quite disturbing confirmation hearing on the nomination of Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defense. Hegseth refused to meet with Democratic senators on the committee before the hearing, a breach of long-held protocol, but is sadly not surprising.
January 14, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Today the Senate Armed Services Committee held a quite disturbing confirmation hearing on the nomination of Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defense. Hegseth refused to meet with Democratic senators on the committee before the hearing, a breach of long-held protocol, but is sadly not surprising.
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
There's still time to apply for the Science for Public Good Fund! We're looking to fund projects that aim to advance equitable, science-based policy and/or emphasize local and community impacts. Applications are open now through January 6.
➡️Apply here: act.ucsusa.org/41DXmXm
➡️Apply here: act.ucsusa.org/41DXmXm
December 16, 2024 at 5:54 PM
There's still time to apply for the Science for Public Good Fund! We're looking to fund projects that aim to advance equitable, science-based policy and/or emphasize local and community impacts. Applications are open now through January 6.
➡️Apply here: act.ucsusa.org/41DXmXm
➡️Apply here: act.ucsusa.org/41DXmXm
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
Under Trump, the US may return to full-scale explosive testing of nuclear weapons. It would be a lose-lose-lose for the US, the budding nuclear arms race, and humanity itself. My colleague Jenn Knox explains exactly why here: blog.ucsusa.org/jknox/we-nee...
We Need to Prevent a New Era of Nuclear Weapons Testing
The second Trump administration is likely to resume explosive nuclear weapons tests, but they are unnecessary and can have dire consequences that last for generations.
blog.ucsusa.org
November 21, 2024 at 5:20 PM
Under Trump, the US may return to full-scale explosive testing of nuclear weapons. It would be a lose-lose-lose for the US, the budding nuclear arms race, and humanity itself. My colleague Jenn Knox explains exactly why here: blog.ucsusa.org/jknox/we-nee...
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
My colleague @lauraegrego.bsky.social has this insightful piece in support of a proposed new UN study on the effects of nuclear war. It has been 36 years since the last such study, and the science has improved. The US should vote in favor and ask it allies to as well. blog.ucsusa.org/lgrego/why-t...
Why the World Needs a New UN Study on the Effects of Nuclear War
It has been 36 years since the UN last studied the effects of nuclear war. Given changes in our world and our scientific abilities, it is time for the UN to update these findings and fill in important...
blog.ucsusa.org
October 29, 2024 at 12:49 PM
My colleague @lauraegrego.bsky.social has this insightful piece in support of a proposed new UN study on the effects of nuclear war. It has been 36 years since the last such study, and the science has improved. The US should vote in favor and ask it allies to as well. blog.ucsusa.org/lgrego/why-t...
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
What is radiation? Where does it come from? What are the health impacts of radiation exposure? Check out UCS’s activist guide for understanding radiation, radioactive materials, and the threats they pose to human health.
An Activist's Guide to Radiation and Human Health
Essential readings for understanding the world of radiation, radioactive materials, and the threats they pose to human health
www.ucsusa.org
October 18, 2024 at 4:03 PM
What is radiation? Where does it come from? What are the health impacts of radiation exposure? Check out UCS’s activist guide for understanding radiation, radioactive materials, and the threats they pose to human health.
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
My colleague Lilly Adams explains how House Speaker Mike Johnson is opposing a clear majority of Congress, including many Republicans, who want to expand & extend benefits to the many people in the US harmed by US efforts to develop, test & produce nuclear weapons. blog.ucsusa.org/lilly-adams/...
After the Election, Congress Must Help Victims of Radiation Exposure by Passing RECA
House Speaker Mike Johnson appears to be standing in the way of a desire among members of his own party to pass amendments to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which have already been passed by...
blog.ucsusa.org
October 15, 2024 at 8:56 PM
My colleague Lilly Adams explains how House Speaker Mike Johnson is opposing a clear majority of Congress, including many Republicans, who want to expand & extend benefits to the many people in the US harmed by US efforts to develop, test & produce nuclear weapons. blog.ucsusa.org/lilly-adams/...
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
UCS statement on the inspiring news that Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization of Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombing survivors, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, from my @ucsusa.bsky.social colleague @gkucs.bsky.social. A thoughtful call by the Nobel committee
www.ucsusa.org/about/news/n...
www.ucsusa.org/about/news/n...
Nobel Peace Prize Highlights Current-Day Risks of Nuclear Weapons
The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization of Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombing survivors, for working towards international nuclear disarmament
www.ucsusa.org
October 11, 2024 at 4:42 PM
UCS statement on the inspiring news that Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization of Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombing survivors, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, from my @ucsusa.bsky.social colleague @gkucs.bsky.social. A thoughtful call by the Nobel committee
www.ucsusa.org/about/news/n...
www.ucsusa.org/about/news/n...
Reposted by Dr. Tara Drozdenko
My amazing @ucsusa.bsky.social colleague @drchanese.bsky.social published an incredibly helpful set of guides and a glossary to provide an introduction to radiation and its health impacts. It starts with An Activist's Guide to Radiation and Human Health: www.ucsusa.org/resources/ac...
An Activist's Guide to Radiation and Human Health
Essential readings for understanding the world of radiation, radioactive materials, and the threats they pose to human health
www.ucsusa.org
October 10, 2024 at 7:27 PM
My amazing @ucsusa.bsky.social colleague @drchanese.bsky.social published an incredibly helpful set of guides and a glossary to provide an introduction to radiation and its health impacts. It starts with An Activist's Guide to Radiation and Human Health: www.ucsusa.org/resources/ac...