News & Commentary

EPA: Neonics Likely Driving 200+ Species Toward Extinction

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lucas Rhoads

U.S. EPA's unprecedented findings confirm that widespread neonic pesticide use threatens critical pollinators, other wildlife, and whole ecosystems. 

NY Bills to Ban Harmful PFAS Chemicals & Protect Our Health

May 12, 2023 Expert BlogAlbanyKate Donovan

New York shows promise to ban toxic PFAS chemicals from consumer products to protect communities.

The Farm Bill Needs Opportunities in Organic

May 11, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Vermont, CaliforniaAllison Johnson

The Opportunities in Organic Act will put organic in reach for more producers and consumers.

NWF Poll: 78% of Farmers Support Crop Insurance Incentives for Cover Crops

May 4, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Dr. Daniel Rath, Claire O'Connor, Lara Bryant

CA Addressed Plastic Waste; Now We Need Action on Toxics in Plastics

April 20, 2023 Expert BlogCalifornia, United StatesDr. Anna Reade, Avinash Kar, Dr. Veena Singla

Last year, California made large strides towards addressing the pressing problem of proliferating plastic waste. But the Ohio train derailment shows why we also need action on toxics in plastics. 

2023 Farm Bill Can Help Address Climate Crisis

March 28, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Dr. Daniel Rath, Nina Sevilla, Allison Johnson

With the upcoming Farm Bill, Congress has the chance to make the economy-wide investments in our food system that the IPCC report states are necessary if we are to combat climate change.

Riparian Forests: How California Farmers Can Protect Waterways

March 22, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaArohi Sharma

California can work with growers to scale up riparian forest buffers along farm and rangelands to help sequester carbon, protect waterways, and improve biodiversity.

To Lead on Climate, New York State Should Aim High on Clean Industry

March 21, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkIan Wells

The federal government is rolling out programs to support deployment of emerging technologies that can dramatically reduce emissions from industrial manufacturing. New York should seize the opportunity to clean up its industrial base, attract new industrial investment, and become a…

NRDC Sues to Close Huge California Pesticide Loophole

February 19, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaLucas Rhoads

NRDC has sued the California Department of Pesticide Regulation for its failure to regulate crop seeds treated with pesticides. These "treated seed' uses are major sources of widespread pesticide contamination, and pose threats to pollinators, other wildlife, and people. 

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.

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.

How California’s Water Rights System Gouges You and Me

February 6, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaKate Poole

It's time for California’s water managers to reform this antiquated system and prioritize water for human health and safety and for the shared environment over water for farms.

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.

New York Can Cut Emissions, Create Jobs with Industrial Decarbonization

January 24, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkIan Wells

Policymakers now have the opportunity to capture billions in new federal incentives, grow the state’s clean industrial economy, and save and create good jobs through investing in industrial decarbonization.

In Colorado, Oil and PFAS Shouldn’t Mix

January 12, 2023 DispatchColoradoNicole Greenfield

We can add PFAS contamination to the list of ways the oil and gas industry is threatening Coloradans’ health. Two new laws aim to stop it—but are they enough?

Hochul Signs Law Directing Manufacturers to Weave NYS Carpet Recycling Program

December 30, 2022 Expert BlogNew YorkEric A. Goldstein

Manufacturers will soon be required to take responsibility for the end-of-life management of carpets sold throughout the state.

CA's New Scoping Plan Affirms Organic Ag as Climate Solution

December 16, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaLena Brook

The first-ever inclusion of organic farming in state climate policy.

California Can Pave the Way on Decarbonizing Cement

December 14, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaChristina Theodoridi, Jaden Kielty

Following a law enacted in 2021, all cement used in California will need to reach net zero emissions by 2045.

Celebrating Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Food Matters Cohorts

December 9, 2022 Expert BlogBaltimore, Jersey City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C.Madeline Keating, Darby Hoover

This month, we mark the successful completion of our two-year partnerships with the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast cohorts. Our work with Great Lakes cities will continue in 2023.