News & Commentary

First International Day of Food Loss and Waste Awareness

September 29, 2020 Expert BlogAndrea Collins

Today marks the first observance of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste across the globe. It’s time that we acknowledge the environmental, economic, and social effects of food waste. Reducing food waste is something we can…

NRDC Announces Support for California’s Proposition 15

September 24, 2020 Expert BlogVictoria Rome

With the Schools and Communities First initiative, voters have an opportunity to provide more stable funding to cities and counties, including K–12 schools and community colleges.

Community Experts on Equitable Access to Nature in LA

September 15, 2020 Expert BlogRamya Sivasubramanian, Damon Nagami

Four community experts share their insights on how systemic racism has deprived low-income communities of color of access to parks and nature—and what they're doing to change that.

Laura: The Latest Climate Disaster for Low-Income Americans

September 8, 2020 Expert BlogRob Moore

Hurricane Laura is yet another reminder of how low-income communities and communities of color are most vulnerable to climate-fueled disasters. How post-disaster recovery and disaster mitigation dollars are allocated contribute can put further distance between the haves and the have-nots.

Chicago Takes a New Step Toward Renewable Energy

September 4, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Illinois, ChicagoStefan Schaffer, Jay Orfield

Chicago is taking an exciting step toward renewable energy for the city’s buildings by announcing a Request for Proposals.

Renewable Rikers Island: NYC Planning Commission Testimony

September 2, 2020 Expert BlogNew York CitySara Imperiale

NRDC provided testimony to the New York City Planning Commission in support of an amendment to the City Map establishing the entirety of Rikers Island as a Public Place, a designation that would prohibit Rikers Island from being used for…

What Is Climate Gentrification?

August 27, 2020 ExplainerUnited StatesShelia Hu

NRDC senior program advocate Sasha Forbes explains what it means to be displaced by climate change and why cities must invest in long-term housing affordability—and a self-sustaining future—for their low-income communities and communities of color.

Defender of Housing Justice

August 25, 2020 NRDC in ActionNew Orleans, United States, LouisianaJenny Shalant

Energy efficiency and social safety net advocate Khalil Shahyd explains why supporting affordable housing is intrinsic to the climate fight.

The Army Corps Can’t Save Miami from Climate Change

August 24, 2020 Expert BlogAnna Weber

Boston Pilots Cargo E-Bike for City Fleet

August 21, 2020 Expert BlogEmily Barkdoll

Boston has procured a new zero emissions mobility option - their first municipally owned electric-assist cargo trike for the city’s fleet. The trike will be named Knox in honor of Kittie Knox, a West End resident from the 1880s, who…

The Entrepreneurs Transforming Scraps Into a Fashion Statement

August 18, 2020 DispatchNew York CityLauren Evans

A new generation of designers and resource specialists is springing up around the textile waste created by the fashion industry—and taking it to market.

The UK Is Winning on Food Waste. Are We?

July 30, 2020 Expert BlogInternationalYvette Cabrera

Now more than ever, as many people are trying to avoid unnecessary trips to the grocery store, food insecurity rates are growing by the day, and shortages of some foods loom, people are thinking about how to fully utilize all…

Advancing Park Equity in Los Angeles and Beyond

July 27, 2020 Expert BlogLos AngelesDamon Nagami

Experts discuss how they fight against systems of power that have decided who does—and does not—get to have access to parks, open spaces, and nature.

California Seeks to Reduce Inequity in Access to Nature

July 22, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaDrevet Hunt, Damon Nagami

Natural spaces like rivers, beaches, wetlands, and forests are critical to human health and well-being. California's legislature is poised to take action to ensure access to nature for all its citizens by enacting AB3030.

How to Plan for Equitable Energy Efficiency in a Pandemic

July 21, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesLara Ettenson

As the ongoing pandemic further exacerbates racial and economic disparities across America, it is important to examine whether programs aimed at helping utility customers cut energy waste are reaching everyone.

New York Is All in on EVs

July 16, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkKathy Harris

New York State accelerated its commitment to cutting carbon pollution from the transportation sector and improving air quality for all New Yorkers by releasing the final order on a utility-based electric vehicle charging station program, which is anticipated to reap…

15 States Take Historic Action on Transportation Pollution

July 14, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesPatricio Portillo

A bipartisan group of governors representing 15 states from across the nation and the District of Columbia spoke in unison today, committing to zero-out toxic air pollution from medium- and heavy-duty trucks by 2050. The announcement is the largest-ever multi-state…

NRDC Food Matters Launches Two Regional Initiatives

July 13, 2020 Expert BlogEast, United StatesDarby Hoover, Madeline Keating

Starting with the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, we are launching a Food Matters Regional Initiative, with the goal of furthering larger-scale change related to food waste at a regional level.

Public Transit Just Helped Save America. Now America Needs to Return the Favor.

July 2, 2020 PerspectivesUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

The Moving Forward Act could put more than $100 billion into our ailing bus, subway, and train infrastructure—promoting equity and strengthening public safety along the way.

Invest in Infrastructure with Qualified Infrastructure Bonds

July 1, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesDouglass Sims

The infrastructure crisis in the United States undergirds the COVID-19 and climate crises and saps our ability to be resilient.