News & Commentary

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Explainer

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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.

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Expert Blogs

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

Why Do Water Bills Vary So Wildly?

Expert BlogUnited States, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, New HampshireLarry Levine

A new study holds lessons for water affordability.

America’s Failing Drinking Water System

ExplainerUnited States, Buffalo, Houston, Puerto Rico, California, FlintNicole Greenfield

First, Flint, Michigan; then, Jackson, Mississippi. Communities around the country wonder if their water quality problems will lead to the next national crisis.

Public Land Grab: Senate Bill Gifts Miners Pass to Pollute

Expert BlogWest, Nevada, Idaho, United StatesJosh Axelrod
Senators Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) and Jim Risch (R-ID) have introduced legislation that makes it easier for mining companies and others to acquire rights to federal land and to be able to use them as dumping grounds and worse. The legislation…

Top Climate Elements in Senate Budget Reconciliation

Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Derek Murrow, Amanda Levin
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will reduce greenhouse gas and other pollutants by giving people clean energy choices at low cost reduce household and business energy bills.

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.

Drinking Through a Lead Straw in the District

Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Valerie Baron

According to NRDC’s new report Washington DC just distinguished itself—we are in the top 10 most lead-pipes-per-100,000 people of any state (or District) in the US. Not great news for the as many as 31,000 households drinking water through a…

DC Water’s Own Data Suggest Widespread Lead Contamination

Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Valerie Baron

Lead pipes throughout the country, including Washington DC, leach and contribute to widespread contamination. Paradoxically, due to a confusing and inadequate system of safeguards, Washington DC is in compliance with federal drinking water regulations for lead.

Latin America at the Leaders Summit on Climate

Expert BlogArgentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, MexicoCarolina Herrera, Jessica Carey-Webb, Marilyn Kunce, Amanda Maxwell
The five Latin American countries that participated in the Leaders Summit on Climate – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico – displayed a broad range of ambition. Once again, some countries demonstrated their willingness to be climate action leaders while…

A Huge Push to Remove Toxic Lead in School Drinking Water

Expert BlogWashington, D.C., Michigan, United StatesJoan Leary Matthews
President Biden has released his bold infrastructure package, which basically declares war on lead in drinking water, both in our homes and our schools.

Every State Should Have a Right to a Healthy Environment

Expert BlogNorth Carolina, Pennsylvania, Montana, Massachusetts, CaliforniaCorinne Bell
A few states currently have a constitutional right to a healthy environment and several more are working to enshrine such rights.

House Votes—Again—to Suspend Pebble Mine Funding

Expert BlogAlaska, United StatesTaryn Kiekow Heimer

The U.S. House of Representatives passed an appropriations minibus package that includes an amendment barring funding to issue a permit for the Pebble Mine.

Pebble Mine, Tom Collier, and 12.5 Million Pieces of Silver

Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds
Showing it “doesn’t give a rat’s ass what happens in Alaska,” the Army Corps of Engineers is expected this month to issue its fatally flawed EIS for the reckless Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, ignoring overwhelming opposition in Alaska but…

“Stop Pebble Mine” Coalition Gets the Word Out

Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer
The ad is part of a Stop Pebble Mine media campaign developed by Bristol Bay Tribes, Alaskan business leaders, commercial fishermen, and community and nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting Bristol Bay from the imminent threat of the proposed Pebble Mine.

Like a Zombie, Reckless Pebble Mine Terrorizes Bristol Bay

Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds
Widely considered dead, massive mining scheme proposed for Bristol Bay headwaters by underfunded Canadian company is likely to be permitted this summer by Army Corps of Engineers despite unsolved technical, financial, and environmental flaws, deep opposition in Alaska, and blatant…