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.

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Explainer

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Dispatch

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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.

Tenant Protections, Good Jobs Key to Decarbonizing Buildings

Expert BlogLos Angeles, CaliforniaMichele Knab Hasson, Merrian Borgeson

In Los Angeles, buildings are the top source of carbon pollution, and the city is taking bold steps to end these harmful emissions completely by 2050. As city leaders and other stakeholders consider how to achieve these emissions reductions equitably…

LA Must Tackle Clean Buildings & Affordable Housing Together

Expert BlogLos Angeles, CaliforniaStefan Schaffer, Michele Knab Hasson, Megan Ross

Currently, LA’s building stock is responsible for 43% of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions. A recent report dives deep into the complex relationship between getting fossil fuels out of buildings and creating and preserving affordable housing in Los Angeles…

New Program Provides Energy Burden Relief for Tenants in LA

Expert BlogLos Angeles, CaliforniaMichele Knab Hasson

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the largest municipal utility in the country, has worked with advocates to develop a comprehensive program that provides benefits to low income tenants and is accessible by affordable housing providers.

Biden Team Moves to Save the Boundary Waters

Expert BlogMinnesotaDavid Doniger

The Biden administration’s very welcome decision to block sulfide-ore copper mining on the edges of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is personal to me and my family. My in-laws have roots there going back more than a century, and…

Biden Admin Takes 1st Step to Undo Trump’s Delta Destruction

Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

The Trump Administration’s biological opinions were the result of scientific misconduct, political interference, and bias. The end result is nothing short of a plan for extinction that is playing out before our eyes.

California’s Wildly Inequitable Water Rights System

Expert BlogCaliforniaKate Poole

It's time to put the interests of the community above the interests of the ancestors of a handful of white settlers who staked their claim to our public resources over a century ago.

New Energy Efficiency Rules Will Cut Carbon & Lower Costs

Expert BlogCaliforniaLara Ettenson, Mohit Chhabra

With the sixth annual Energy Efficiency Day planned for Wednesday, it’s a good time to remember that efficiency is one of the most effective ways to fight dangerous climate pollution and catalyze action to address historic underinvestment in vulnerable communities.

Boston Passes Equitable Building Performance Standard

Expert BlogBoston, MassachusettsEmily Barkdoll

Becoming climate neutral by 2050 will have enormous implications for Bostonians: better air quality, reduced electricity bills, and a lower energy burden are just a few ways in which the standard will improve lives across the city.

CA PFAS Pollution Widespread in Disadvantaged Communities

Expert BlogCaliforniaDr. Anna Reade, Susan Lee

A report published by NRDC, along with its partners Community Water Center, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles, and Clean Water Action, finds that drinking water throughout California is contaminated with harmful PFAS chemicals, particularly in already overburdened communities.

Decarbonized Buildings & Vehicles Create Good Missouri Jobs

Expert BlogMissouriGabrielle Habeeb, Ashok Gupta

Eliminating carbon emissions from our building and transportation sectors will be critical to maintaining a healthy and livable climate. Decarbonizing these sectors is putting Missourians to work while investing in a cleaner, more climate resilient future.

California’s Lead Problem: Partials Aren't Good Enough

Expert BlogCaliforniaCorinne Bell

President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda is a big opportunity for California to create high quality water-related jobs, to protect Californians, and to right the state’s course on lead pipe replacements.

California Forging Ahead on Zero Emission Buildings

Expert BlogCaliforniaPierre Delforge

The California Energy Commission (CEC) took a major stride toward zero-carbon emissions buildings in the 2022 update of the statewide building energy code that will require new buildings to use less energy and cut carbon pollution.

NRDC Sets Region Specific Water Targets for Each Office

Expert BlogUnited States, New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Bozeman, Beijing, San Francisco, Santa MonicaMaria McCain

NRDC has seen a steady decline in total water usage institution-wide and has taken steps to advance water stewardship.