News & Commentary

New York State Legislative Session Wraps Up: What’s In and What’s Out?

June 13, 2024 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader

In the wake of the 2024 New York legislative session, we highlight some key victories and grapple with challenging political roadblocks.

Multilateral Development Bank Spring 2024 Meeting Outcomes & Next Steps

June 5, 2024 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Jake Schmidt

The World Bank Group (WBG) held its Spring 2024 meeting, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the African Development Bank (AfDB) holding their annual meetings. These meetings continued the reform effort to…

Mountain Valley Ruptures, Yet Claims It's Gas Ready

May 17, 2024 Expert BlogVirginia, West Virginia, North CarolinaGillian Giannetti, Amy Mall

On May 1, Mountain Valley suffered a major rupture during safety testing. But it still wants to start flowing gas next week.

Calling New York to Break Up with Toxic PFAS this Earth Day

April 15, 2024 Expert BlogNew YorkKate Donovan

New York Legislature has a real opportunity to address upstream sources of PFAS contamination.

Poll: People Want Action on Plastics for Health and Wildlife

April 15, 2024 Expert BlogInternational, Canada, United States, Ohio, PennsylvaniaDaniel Rosenberg

New poll results show overwhelming public support for government action to address the plastic crisis, including a strong global plastics treaty.

NRDC’s 2024 Legislative Agenda for a Healthy and Equitable Environment in New York

March 4, 2024 Expert BlogNew York, New YorkRich Schrader, Timothy Edland

The end of 2023 brought huge wins for New York and its environment. Here are our priorities for 2024.

The Particulars of PM 2.5

February 8, 2024 ExplainerNew Delhi, California, India, United States

Why particulate matter…matters.

Waste and Plastic Reduction Is Necessary to Protect Our Health

January 24, 2024 Expert BlogAlbanyKate Donovan, Isabel Friedman

Why New York’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act is a critical step forward. 

Driving Ambition, Action, and Equity at COP28: Part 1

December 14, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Jake Schmidt, Brendan Guy, Joe Thwaites, Jennifer Skene

World leaders in Dubai sent a clear signal: the end of the fossil fuel era has begun, and the world is rapidly transitioning to a clean energy economy. This helps put the world on a firmer pathway in this decisive…

Climate Risks are Financial Risks: Helping Big Banks Prepare

October 27, 2023 Expert BlogSanta Monica, New York CityAlfonso Pating, Elizabeth Derbes

Banking Supervisors are Recognizing the Impact Climate has on the Financial System

New York City: Replace Lead Drinking Water Pipes

July 18, 2023 Expert BlogNew York City, United StatesJoan Leary Matthews

One in five New Yorkers may be drinking lead-contaminated water. The New York City Council needs to replace all lead pipes within 10 years, at no cost to residents.

The Supreme Court Gets Clean Water Supremely Wrong

June 29, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Jon Devine

The Supreme Court got the facts, the law, and the policy wrong in its recent ruling attacking wetland protections under the Clean Water Act.

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.

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.

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.

RGGI Pays Climate Costs, but Youngkin Sticks It to Taxpayers

December 21, 2022 Expert BlogVirginiaWalton Shepherd

Virginia's RGGI law just made polluters cough up $78 million, in Q4 alone, to pay down climate costs, while Governor Youngkin's budget would make taxpayers pay instead.

Spotlight on Climate Friendly Cooling in India

December 9, 2022 Expert BlogIndiaPrima Madan

Finance and investment in technology are critical in mainstreaming hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) transitions in India, as NRDC and partners discussed at the Montreal Protocol meeting (MOP34) last month.

The Clean Energy Future: How We Get There Matters

November 21, 2022 Expert BlogNorth Carolina, United StatesDr. Anna Reade, Dr. Katie Pelch

A clean and sustainable energy future is needed for addressing climate change, but how we get there matters. In the midst of global efforts to clean up and eliminate the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), Chemours is doubling…

Advocates Are Sparking a Revolution in Louisiana's “Cancer Alley”

November 10, 2022 DispatchSt. James Parish, LouisianaNicole Greenfield

Residents of St. James Parish are fighting to boot harmful petrochemical plants from this majority-Black community—and hoping to usher in more sustainable industries like solar.