News & Commentary

Cities Are Leading the Way: 2020 Wins & Look Ahead

December 17, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Charlotte, Honolulu, Pittsburgh, St. LouisJay Orfield, Kimi Narita

Cities made tremendous progress in their climate challenge goals throughout a difficult 2020. Now, cities are eyeing all that is possible in the new year.

Water vs. Energy: Solving the COVID-19 Utility Crisis

December 17, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesLarry Levine

States and the federal government must act now to preserve essential water service during the pandemic—and keep customers from being mired in debt they cannot escape.

Los Angeles Edges Closer to Phasing Out Urban Oil Drilling

December 16, 2020 Expert BlogLos AngelesDamon Nagami

The Los Angeles City Council’s Energy, Climate Change, and Environmental Justice Committee earlier this month voted unanimously to pass a motion to pursue a citywide phase-out of oil drilling.

NYC Parks Commissioner Pushing Out Community Composters

December 15, 2020 Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein

Neighborhood non-profit groups that have run successful and beloved community composting operations on parks properties for years are being ousted by New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver.

Energy Efficiency: Ohio's Hospitals and Low-Income Residents

December 15, 2020 Expert BlogOhioDaniel Sawmiller

Ohio's Hospitals and low-income residents have benefit greatly from energy efficiency programs. Still, Ohio lawmakers may choose to eliminate these programs and increase the energy burden—and electric bill—for both.

Just Transition Milestone: Solar Power for Peoria’s ART Inc.

December 14, 2020 Expert BlogPeoria, IllinoisSelena Kyle, Alyssa Brown

Peoria, Illinois has hit a new milestone in its efforts to transition away from fossil fuels. One of the projects funded through our Clean Air Act settlement with the owners of the E.D. Edwards power plant is done!

Winter Is Coming, and So Are Evictions Unless We Act Now

December 11, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesDeron Lovaas

As temperatures drop, people, especially people of color and of limited income, face the threat of eviction from their homes.

Rising to the Challenge Five Years after the Paris Agreement

December 11, 2020 Expert BlogInternationalJake Schmidt

Five years after the Paris Agreement was adopted, big actions are necessary from major players to bring global emissions to net zero no later than 2050.

A New York Climate Justice Activist with Roots in the Blue Ridge Mountains

December 11, 2020 DispatchNew York City, Washington, D.C.Carmen Cusido

WE ACT’s director of environmental health and education, Taylor Morton, who found their path to environmental justice work through a childhood spent in nature, wants to help the next generation get outside without fear.

Department of Energy’s Test Changes Get Failing Grade

December 11, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesJoe Vukovich

The Department of Energy just finalized a “midnight” rule that jeopardizes a government program, which made it so we avoided millions of tons of carbon dioxide pollution.

Pandemic Puts Eviction Crisis Front and Center

December 10, 2020 NRDC in ActionUnited StatesCourtney Lindwall

With pressure mounting, NRDC advocates are calling on lawmakers to step up protections for renters in the next relief package while also pushing for systemic changes that will help affordable housing stay that way.

Customers Need Debt Relief: Commissions, Utilities Can Help

December 8, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesSheryl Carter

With millions of Americans drastically behind on their energy and water utility bills, no additional federal assistance on the horizon, and moratoria on utility shutoffs expiring, the United States is facing a deepening economic and public health crisis.

Missing Math: Paying for the Health Costs of Climate Change

December 7, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesDr. Vijay Limaye

The climate crisis is inflicting costly damage to human health, but those harms are often hidden from view.

Proposed LNG Project Threatens our Climate and Communities

December 4, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesMarisa Guerrero, Mark Izeman

We must stop plans to build a new fossil fuel export project on the majestic Delaware River. The proposed facility would be disastrous for our climate and our communities.

Hydro-Highway Robbery

December 4, 2020 Expert BlogChileJessica Carey-Webb

The Reguemos Chile project would benefit agribusinesses at the expense of the environment, small farmers, and Indigenous peoples.

A Champion for Equitable and Sustainable Infrastructure

December 3, 2020 NRDC in ActionLos Angeles, PhiladelphiaShelia Hu

Stephanie Gidigbi Jenkins is pushing for public policy solutions that address social equity and climate justice while strengthening access to reliable transportation, affordable housing, and open spaces.

Health as Lens for Shaping More Equitable Climate Policy

December 3, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, InternationalDr. Kim Knowlton

Air pollution bears down disproportionately on the economically disadvantaged and many communities of color. It plays a key role in the disproportionate burden of respiratory health threats from COVID-19 plaguing the nation.

Lancet: What’s Needed to Protect Health from Climate & COVID

December 3, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, LouisianaJuanita Constible

We need a holistic response to protect our health from the collision of climate change, COVID-19, and racial injustice.

Compost Matters—But Food Matters More

December 3, 2020 Expert BlogBaltimore, United StatesYvette Cabrera

With food waste reduction in mind, the Baltimore Food Matters team created a resource that could serve as a reminder to be cognizant of food waste, what we can do to prevent it, and how anyone can compost locally.

San Jose Takes Nearly All New Buildings All-Electric

December 2, 2020 Expert BlogSan Jose (California)Elizabeth Stampe, Olivia Walker

San Jose becomes the largest U.S. city to take new buildings all-electric.