News & Commentary

Moving Forward with Infrastructure Climate Solutions

February 3, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesStephanie Gidigbi Jenkins

Congressional leaders unveiled a transformative vision of moving America and the environment forward by investing in 21st century infrastructure.

With Family Roots in the Mines, He’s Championing Illinois’s Clean Energy Future

January 31, 2020 NRDC in ActionMichigan, Illinois, Chicago, PeoriaNicole Greenfield

With grassroots groups and other partners, J. C. Kibbey is fighting for one of the country’s most ambitious climate bills—and a just transition away from coal.

City of Chicago Releases E-Scooter Pilot Evaluation

January 29, 2020 Expert BlogStefan Schaffer

E-scooters—and their critics—have taken cities by storm, and Chicago has been no exception. For four months in 2019, the City of Chicago allowed 10 companies to operate 2,500 scooters around town. The goal? Observe the benefits and pitfalls of scooters…

Top New York State Environmental Priorities for 2020

January 7, 2020 Expert BlogRich Schrader

NRDC's New York State environmental priorities for 2020 include building on the sweeping climate progress made in 2019, tackling the biggest sources of climate pollution, and protecting New Yorkers' health.

2019 Set the Stage for Cleaner and Healthier Buildings

January 5, 2020 Expert BlogPierre Delforge, Merrian Borgeson

San Antonio Finds the Key to Flood Control in Its Gardens

December 23, 2019 DispatchSan Antonio, TexasAnne N. Connor

As climate change brings heavier rains, local officials and developers are managing the deluge of stormwater runoff with some low-tech—and pretty—solutions.

Climate Change Literature that Made Waves in 2019

December 20, 2019 Expert BlogRob Moore

As the planet heated up to record breaking levels, the seas continued to rise, and wildfires, storms, floods, or other manifestations of climate change made headlines every single day, the stream of climate change literature turned into a deluge. This…

One City’s Trash Is This Museum’s Treasure

December 18, 2019 PerspectivesNew York CityClara Chaisson

A collection of 45,000 items gleaned from New Yorkers’ garbage sends a powerful message about our consumption habits.

A Big Step Toward Clean Transportation in the Eastern U.S.

December 17, 2019 Expert BlogBruce Ho

A dozen eastern states and the city of Washington, D.C. are taking a huge step forward in making their communities more prosperous and livable as they outline a plan to transform the region’s beleaguered transportation.

Minneapolis Acts to Fight the Human Cost of Climate Change

December 16, 2019 Expert BlogIrene Nielson

We often expect news of innovative environmental policies to come out of cities in California, but Minneapolis is emerging as a national leader and proving that every city, in every part of the country, can and should push for bold…

NC's Missing the Big Picture on Climate Resilience

December 11, 2019 Expert BlogNorth CarolinaRob Moore

NC is applying for $168 million from HUD's CDBG-MIT fund. But NC is proposing to focus on a narrow range of projects and missing the larger opportunity to use these funds to make much-needed changes to a range of local…

Charlotte Is on Its Way to Becoming a Modern Transit Hub

December 11, 2019 DispatchCharlotte, North CarolinaJodi Helmer

The North Carolina city knows that as it grows, its residents will need (and want) to get out of their cars and catch the nearest bus, train, or streetcar.

Eastern States Continue to Step Up on Climate

December 11, 2019 Expert BlogBruce Ho

As the Trump administration attempts to derail climate action, a dozen states in the East and others are refusing to give in. Their leadership was critical in 2019 and will continue to be needed in 2020.

The Hidden Cost of Cyber Monday

December 2, 2019 Expert BlogPatricio Portillo

Cyber Monday and e-commerce have come to dominate the retail industry contributing to a rise in delivery emissions. Policymakers need to step up and establish rules to slash emissions from the trucking industry even while online retail grows.

Lawsuit Wants to Lock Us Into Polluting Fuels

November 25, 2019 Expert BlogPierre Delforge

With a growing number of communities in California and nationwide passing local ordinances to transition new buildings to clean energy, the oil and gas industry is desperately seeking ways to thwart the movement and keep the market locked into using…

Parks Are Good—but They Can (and Should) Be Better

November 22, 2019 PerspectivesUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

At their best, urban green spaces have the power to restore our weary souls—and maybe even to curb sprawl. Why do we so often treat them like civic afterthoughts?

Columbus City Council Holds Hearing on R-PACE Loan Program

November 22, 2019 Expert BlogStefan Schaffer, Emily Barkdoll

Columbus City Council held a public hearing to consider legislation on an energy efficient renovation financing program for Columbus homeowners on October 24, 2019. This is another monumental step in making Columbus a greener city.

Philly City Council Approves Plan to Curb Climate Pollution

November 21, 2019 Expert BlogEmily Barkdoll

Philadelphia took another major step toward cutting carbon emissions through the passage of a landmark Building Energy Performance Policy. The City Council unanimously passed a building energy performance ordinance, commonly referred to as the “tune-up” ordinance that will require owners…

Pittsburgh City Buildings Ready to Go Net Zero

November 20, 2019 Expert BlogWendy Lee, Irene Nielson

Pittsburgh joins the few leading US cities in creating net-zero energy ready building standards.

Chicago to Tackle Congestion and Transportation Inequity

November 20, 2019 Expert BlogStefan Schaffer

Mayor Lightfoot recently introduced one of the country’s most ambitious and equitably structured proposals to price ride-hailing trips, underscoring the city’s commitment to reducing congestion and investing in high-quality transit service for residents all across Chicago.