Charise Johnson

Researcher, Center for Science & Democracy

Author image
Charise Johnson is a research associate in the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists. She works primarily in partnership with justice-based groups, providing analysis that connects data-driven research with public health and community impacts. See Charise's full bio.

Subscribe to Charise's posts

Charise's Latest Posts

Pictured: The interior least tern (Sterna antillarum), a federally protected endangered species. USFWS

Between Two Terns: A Conversation on Endangered Species and Social Justice

May 24, 2018 10:04 AM EDT

Endangered Species Day was introduced as a resolution by Congress in 2006 to encourage “the people of the United States to become educated about, and aware of, threats to species, success stories in species recovery, and the opportunity to promote species conservation worldwide.” This year, Endangered Species Day (May 18) began with a devastating school shooting. It really had me questioning how appropriate it would be to emphasize the importance of wildlife conservation while so many in the world and our nation seem to place little value on human lives. Read more >

Bookmark and Share

Damien Jones, the equity and justice outreach specialist for the Climate and Energy Program at the March for Our Lives in Washington, DC.

Tell Secretary Alex Azar: We Need to Demand Equitable Gun Violence Research and Reform

April 2, 2018 4:41 PM EDT

It has been only six weeks since last I wrote about gun violence in America, following the Parkland shooting that took seventeen lives and impacted a nation. In that time there have been 22 more mass shootings, at least 10 of them at schools. The number of deaths by guns in 2018 is at 3,423, and we’re only 89 days into the year—that’s about 38 human lives lost per day. In that time, hundreds of thousands of people have voiced their outrage and concerns over our country’s inaction around gun violence, as we witnessed at last weekend’s March for Our Lives. Read more >

Ted Eytan
Damien Jones
Bookmark and Share

CDC Scientists Plea to Congress: Let Us Research Gun Violence

February 16, 2018 1:53 PM EDT

This past Wednesday, our nation bore witness as another gun-related tragedy unfolded, this time at a high school. Seventeen people were shot and killed, more than two dozen others wounded at Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County, Florida after a heavily armed, former student of the school brazenly opened fire on unsuspecting, innocent teachers and pupils. There have been 290 school shootings since 2013, 1,333 mass shootings since 2014, and 56,755 deaths by guns since 2014– yet our government does not deem gun violence to be a public health concern worth researching. We must support scientists to do the necessary work that would shed light on how to protect the public. How many firearm casualties must there be to justify use of federal investment for research into the safety of this country’s residents?

Read more >

Bookmark and Share

Science For Justice: A New Blog Series

February 15, 2018 1:03 PM EDT

Science and social justice are inextricably linked. Science provides the foundation for a strong democracy, and is critical to improving and maintaining quality of life. Evidence-based public safeguards are vital to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of communities and individuals. Read more >

Bookmark and Share

Photo: USFWS

Tell Congress to Send Support, Not Poison Pills, to Endangered Species Protections

February 13, 2018 2:33 PM EDT

Valentine’s Day. It’s the time of year where we, as a nation, spend an exorbitant amount of money on roses, heart-shaped chocolates, and oversized teddy bears. In 2017, America spent $18.2 billion (an average of $136.57 per person) on gifts to show their affection for that special someone. Read more >

Photo: USFWS
Bookmark and Share