News & Commentary

Organic Needs a Boost in the Farm Bill

July 12, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Iowa, Washington, D.C.Allison Johnson

Our public investments in organic food production have not kept pace with the organic sector’s growth – and that’s a missed opportunity for domestic economic development. The Opportunities in Organic Act would help U.S. farms meet consumer demand by reducing…

Better Energy Options for Chicago: Clean and Affordable Buildings

July 12, 2023 Expert BlogChicago, Illinois, MidwestMeghan Hassett

A thoughtful transition toward clean and affordable buildings would help reduce high energy bills and indoor air pollution harming Chicago residents.

Colorado's Historic Win for Building Electrification

June 28, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoClaire Lang-Ree

The Public Utilities Commission in Colorado approved a budget of over $429 million for new building electrification and energy efficiency programs for customers of Xcel Energy, Colorado’s largest utility, in a recent proceeding. This decision is a win for Coloradans…

Major NYC Environmental Advance: City Council to Pass Universal Organics Collection Law

June 7, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New York CityEric A. Goldstein

New York City Council is poised to pass a law that would mandate organics collection.

Pollinators Notch Big Wins in Minnesota

May 26, 2023 Expert BlogSt. PaulLucas Rhoads

In a historic 2023 session, Minnesota reined in pesticide use, increased pollinator habitat, and built momentum toward additional protections. 

The Proposed Colorado River Deal: A Short-Term Band-Aid for a Long-Term Problem

May 23, 2023 Expert BlogWest, California, Arizona, Nevada, MexicoDr. Mark Gold

The Colorado River conservation proposal from Arizona, California, and Nevada reduces diversions by 1 million acre feet a year. Is this enough to make river management sustainable?

New Buildings in NY to Be Electric, but the Job Is Not Done

May 22, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkLauren Urbanek

New York's All-Electric Building Act makes it the first state to promote efficient electrification of new construction.

Under “Food Apartheid,” Urban Farms Are More Important Than Ever

April 28, 2023 DispatchUnited States, Indiana, IndianapolisJeff Turrentine

But BIPOC urban farmers continue to face unique challenges—including inequitable access to land and loans.

More States Adopt Building Energy Codes in India

April 10, 2023 Expert BlogIndiaPrima Madan

In a boost for energy efficient buildings, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan adopted the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2017 last month. Building energy codes are effective tools to ensure energy efficiency in the construction and operation of buildings.

Telangana Announces a Groundbreaking Cool Roof Policy

April 3, 2023 Expert BlogIndiaPrima Madan, Dr. Vijay Limaye, Sameer Kwatra, Dr. David B. Goldstein

A new state policy protects people from extreme heat and delivers substantial energy savings

Smart Housing Policy Is a Climate Strategy for Colorado

March 22, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

Colorado leaders are looking for ways to expand housing availability, improve housing affordability, and ensure housing development advances climate goals, including proposed legislation from Governor Jared Polis and legislative leadership.

"Natural" Gas Is Expensive and Dangerous. We Can Do Better.

February 18, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisJ.C. Kibbey

Large gas utilities in Illinois are pushing for a historically large rate increase. Now is the time to make the switch to cleaner home appliances.

Cover Crops for Every Climate

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogWest, Midwest, East, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho, New Mexico, TexasLara Bryant, Dr. Daniel Rath

Cover crops are adaptable, valuable, and effective enough that farmers can benefit from them in every region of the United States—even cold or dry areas.

Will New York Squander Its Opportunity for a Just Transition?

February 15, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkChristopher Casey

New York’s clean energy transition is threatened by state laws that perpetuate, promote, and subsidize fossil gas use.

New Yorkers Highlight Opportunities to Grow SNAP Incentives

February 14, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkSahana Rao, Margaret Brown, Sara Imperiale

SNAP incentives play an essential role in addressing challenges around fresh, healthy food affordability and access, provide much needed markets for local farmers, and drive local economic development.

New York Is Exposing the Fashion Industry for What It Is: a Climate Nightmare

February 13, 2023 DispatchNew York, New York City, InternationalNicole Greenfield

The state’s Fashion Act seeks to set a new trend of holding big brands accountable for their exploitation of workers and the environment.

Reharvest Memphis: How to Host a Low-Waste High-Impact Event

February 8, 2023 Expert BlogTennessee, MemphisDarby Hoover

Prioritizing grant applications from underserved communities is only one piece of the puzzle. What about the communities who are unable to apply at all?

Advocates Swarm Against Neurotoxic Neonic Pesticides

February 1, 2023 Expert BlogNew York, AlbanyDaniel Raichel

With evidence of a steadily worsening neonic problem, New York must pass the Birds and Bees Protection Act.

Six Colorado Basin States Lay Down a Marker for California

January 31, 2023 Expert BlogArizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, WestEd Osann

The "Consensus Based Modeling Alternative" is a positive development in addressing the current water emergency. It’s unfortunate that California did not join in this recommendation.

Equitable Building Decarbonization Across the Country: 2022

December 14, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, OregonCaroline Keicher, Joe O'Brien-Applegate

Policies and programs aimed at new construction and existing buildings continue to gain traction as communities and elected officials realize the feasibility and benefits of ambitious and equity-centered action.