2/19/2021 -
On inauguration day (Jan. 20, 2021), President Joe Biden released a statement rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement. The United States officially rejoined the agreement 30 days later on Feb. 19, 2021.
1/23/2021 -
The United States will be back in the agreement in 30 days.
11/4/2020 -
The United States left the Paris Climate Agreement on Nov. 4, 2020, a year after President Trump announced intent to withdraw.
4/1/2020 -
Is human activity mostly to blame for global climate change? Learn about the pros and cons in the debate.
3/31/2020 -
Learn about the background of the debate over the role that humans have played in climate change, from early scientific discoveries to international treaties to the US response, including the Trump Administration’s Mar. 31, 2020 decision to lower CO2 emissions standards for passenger vehicles.
9/20/2019 -
A poll released in Sep. 2019 found that 86% of teenagers believe human activity is causing climate change, compared to 79% of adults. Other polls have found that 14% of Americans deny climate change exists, and noted the political divide among those who think climate change is mostly caused by humans (84% of liberal Democrats vs. 26% of conservative Republicans).
8/29/2019 -
Learn about the presidential candidates’ views on important issues, compare them with a side-by-side chart, find your best match with a fun quiz, track their finances, and so much more on our 2020 Presidential Election website. The New York Times called our previous presidential election site “The most comprehensive tool for researching the candidate’s stance on issues.” Check back monthly for expanded issue coverage.
2/21/2019 -
Our new topic explores the pros and cons in the debate over making birth control pills available over-the-counter (OTC). 9.1 million women (12.6% of contraceptive users) use birth control pills, which are the second-most commonly used method of contraception in the United States. Proponents say making the birth control pill available over-the-counter would lower teen pregnancy rates, provide contraceptive access to medically underserved women, and ease access to a health-improving drug with decades of safe use. Opponents say making the Pill over-the-counter would raise the cost of contraception for women, pose a danger to teens’ and women’s health by removing the doctor’s visit requirement, and limit what options are made available.
Our new website presents the top pro & con arguments and quotes, a history of the debate, a video gallery, the prescription status of birth control pills around the world, and a list of drugs switched from prescription to OTC status.
1/25/2019 -
Researchers found that 73% of Americans think global warming is occurring, an increase of ten percentage points from Mar. 2015; six in ten people surveyed say climate change is caused by humans.
1/17/2019 -
ProCon.org, a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity,
seeks an in-house Researcher (full-time with benefits or part-time
without benefits) to develop content for websites devoted to a
nonpartisan in-depth presentation of 70+ controversial issues. Three
items are required for application, as specified in the job notice.
12/4/2018 -
The 4th National Climate Assessment concluded, in part, that “rising temperatures, extreme heat, drought, wildfire on rangelands, and heavy downpours” are expected to increase. The Trump administration criticized the report’s findings.
7/16/2018 -
We’re excited to announce 50 free lesson plan ideas for educators! Visit our Teachers’ Corner for inspiration, including lessons plans about distinguishing fact from opinion, how to write a “call-to-action” letter, and content from our partner Credo Reference.
6/19/2017 -
Investigate both sides of this debate with quotes from Vice President Al Gore (Pro), former Director of Energy Research at the US Department of Energy Dr. William Happer (Con), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Pro), and the International Climate Science Coalition (Con), among many other experts and organizations.
6/2/2017 -
President Trump announced that the United States will withdraw from the Paris Agreement. The 2015 agreement between 195 countries was designed to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.