News & Commentary

Meet the activists and NRDC staff propelling change, read our expert analysis, and learn about the latest challenges and solutions to advancing a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world.

Latest News

Stay on top of the latest research, policy updates, publication releases, and environmental news. 

Explainer

Get a breakdown of complex climate, public health, nature, and equity topics to inform your activism.

Dispatch

Read about activists tackling climate justice and other environmental causes in their communities and beyond.

Perspectives

Discover intersectional viewpoints from activists and artists on the environmental issues of the moment.

NRDC in Action

Find out how NRDC protects people and the planet by learning about some of our key fights.

Expert Blogs

Hear from our policy advocates, scientists, and litigators about the challenges and solutions for building a healthier and more just world.

Cover Crops for Every Climate

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.

Big Oil Sets Its Pants Aflame Fighting Setbacks

Expert BlogCaliforniaAnn Alexander
California's SB 1137, which established a health and safety setback buffer requirement to protect communities from oil drilling operations, is being attacked by Big Oil.

This Is Not Your Father’s Automobile Industry

Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaDavid Doniger
Seven automakers just filed a remarkable brief defending California’s leadership vehicle emissions standards in federal court.

Six Colorado Basin States Lay Down a Marker for California

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.

CA Clean Buildings Progress Report: 2022

Expert BlogCaliforniaKiki Velez, Merrian Borgeson
California’s progress offers a roadmap for transitioning to healthy, clean, and efficient buildings. What's next for the decarbonization leader?

Equitable Building Decarbonization Across the Country: 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.

LA Becomes Largest CA City to Electrify New Buildings

Expert BlogCalifornia, Los AngelesMegan Ross, Olivia Walker
Los Angeles passed a policy directing new buildings to be constructed to use all-electric energy, a critical action to achieving LA’s community-driven building decarbonization goals.

Another Round of Oil & Gas Leasing, With Rules Still M.I.A.

Expert BlogUnited States, WestJosh Axelrod

With nearly 325,000 acres across five states now up for potential leasing in Spring 2023, the BLM continues to move forward with largely unfettered onshore oil and gas leasing on federal public lands despite the escalating climate crisis. 

Cal. Gov. Shuts One Door on Neonic Cuts, but Opens Another

Expert BlogCaliforniaLucas Rhoads

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed AB 2146, a bill that would have prohibited harmful and unnecessary non-agricultural uses of neonic pesticides. But the Governor has tasked the Department of Pesticide Regulation with a review of these home and garden…

California Sets New Precedent for Demand Flexibility

Expert BlogCaliforniaSylvie Ashford

The California Energy Commission (CEC) approved new Load Management Standards today that will make electricity cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable statewide. This first-in-the-nation move will also reduce air pollution and spur innovation of new electric technologies to help California reduce…