News & Commentary

NYC Council Hearing Propels Utensils-On-Request Bill Forward

December 7, 2021 Expert BlogNew York City, New YorkEric A. Goldstein

The City Council has moved one step closer to enacting legislation that would require restaurants to provide plastic utensils, condiments and napkins to take-out customers only on request in the nation’s largest city.

For Thousands of Years, Indigenous Tribes Have Been Planting for the Future

November 30, 2021 DispatchIowa, Canada, Pennsylvania, OklahomaSusan Cosier

With yields of biodiversity and a more climate-resilient food supply, a movement is sprouting in BIPOC communities across North America to save heirloom seeds and preserve culture.

When Extreme Heat Hits India’s Slums, These Women Cool Things Down—and Save Lives

November 16, 2021 DispatchIndiaNicole Greenfield

Whether facing heat waves, water scarcity, or COVID-19, women-led networks in Ahmedabad are working together to keep their families and neighbors safe.

NYC Council May Nix Unwanted Plastic Utensils to Help Planet

November 8, 2021 Expert BlogNew York City, New YorkEric A. Goldstein

This “Skip-the-Stuff” bill would cut back on millions of pounds-a-year of throw-away plastics, reduce waste going to incinerators and landfills, and save businesses money.

Saint Paul Prioritizes People, Not Parking Spaces

August 24, 2021 Expert BlogMinnesota, St. PaulZak Accuardi

Saint Paul has taken an ambitious and important step toward meeting its climate and equity goals, passing two new ordinances—one eliminating parking minimums, and the other introducing rules that prioritize safer, healthier, low-carbon transportation options in new development projects.

NRDC Sets Region Specific Water Targets for Each Office

August 10, 2021 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.

Blackfeet Nation Is Taking Back the Food System

June 21, 2021 DispatchMontanaNicole Greenfield

A tribal-led plan to build a meat-processing facility on the Blackfeet Nation reservation in Montana will help invigorate the local economy, safeguard cultural traditions, and protect community health and the environment.

Plastic Straws Only On-Request Coming to NYC

May 10, 2021 Expert BlogNew York, New York CityEric A. Goldstein

In New York’s latest move to curb the ever-growing amount of plastic trash, the City Council is about to enact legislation that will prohibit restaurants from providing plastic straws to customers, except on request.

Governor Signs NY Family and Fire Fighter Protection Act

April 28, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkAvinash Kar

New York has banned toxic flame retardant chemicals in mattresses and upholstered furniture.

NYC Moves Modestly to Restore Composting; More Is Needed

April 24, 2021 Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein

The DeBlasio Administration, seeking to dispel criticism that it broke one of its cornerstone sustainability promises, has announced plans to restore voluntary food waste composting opportunities in the nation’s largest city.

Latin America at the Leaders Summit on Climate

April 23, 2021 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…

Crisis to Opportunity: China Moves Fast to Protect Wildlife

April 21, 2021 Expert BlogChinaNing (Lisa) Hua

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, China accelerated the pace of wildlife protection over the last year, which included the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopting a decision to ban the trade of wildlife as food and to…

How Cities Are Centering Equity in Benchmarking Policies

April 20, 2021 Expert BlogDenver, Colorado, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Seattle, WashingtonCaroline Keicher

A new resource from the City Energy Project—Incorporating Equity into Energy Benchmarking Requirements: Guidance for Policy and Program Practitioners—helps cities understand the opportunity to leverage benchmarking and transparency policies to address racial and social equity.

Opportunities to Strengthen AC Efficiency Labels in India

March 30, 2021 Expert BlogIndiaSameer Kwatra

In a rapidly warming world, climate friendly air conditioner are vital to providing essential cooling, while keeping greenhouse gas emissions and energy use low. However, a large number of ACs and refrigerators sold in the Indian market may not be…

Fighting Inequity with Solar Power

March 30, 2021 DispatchMinneapolis, St. PaulSusan Cosier

Minneapolis’s 4d program to boost energy efficiency and affordable housing in the city is kicking it up a notch.

Stressed by Heat, Farmworkers Deserve Federal Protections

March 26, 2021 Expert BlogCalifornia, Washington, MinnesotaTeniope Adewumi-Gunn

Unprotected from many basic workplace rights and in the face of a growing climate crisis that threatens their well-being, farmworkers deserve federal safeguards from extreme heat and its dangerous effects.

New York’s Constitutional Right to Water: A First Step

March 18, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkAngela Guyadeen

A constitutional amendment on this November’s ballot will allow New Yorkers to vote on amending the state’s constitution to include a right to clean air and water, stating, “Each person shall have a right to clean air and water, and…

School Districts Commit to Responsibly Raised Turkey

March 11, 2021 Expert BlogNew York City, New York, Los Angeles, California, Dallas, TexasLena Brook

Urban School Food Alliance sets new responsible antibiotics use standard for turkey in school meals.

Plastic Toiletry Bottles Could Disappear from NYS Hotels

March 3, 2021 Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein

New York could be the second state in the nation to ban environmentally troublesome, individual-size plastic bottles from hotels and motels.

UPDATED: Science, Polling Support NY Bill to Save Bees

March 3, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkDaniel Raichel

Senator Brad Hoylman introduced new language today for the Birds and Bees Protection Act, a bill that would make the state a national leader in safeguarding its bees, birds, water, and people from widespread neonicotinoid pesticide contamination.