News & Commentary

COVID-19 Relief Package Must Recognize Food Is Fundamental

September 15, 2020 Expert BlogAllison Johnson, Yvette Cabrera

The next COVID-19 relief package must address the crushing hunger facing too many families and heal our crumbling food chains.

We May Never Fully Know Hurricane Laura’s Health Harms

September 14, 2020 Expert BlogJuanita Constible

A better national framework for tracking disaster-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths will inform where to concentrate health interventions before, during, and after disasters.

Western Heat and Wildfires Rage On, with Millions at Risk

September 10, 2020 Expert BlogDr. Vijay Limaye

The health risks of searing heat and wildfires are growing, and climate change is making things worse.

Laura: The Latest Climate Disaster for Low-Income Americans

September 8, 2020 Expert BlogRob Moore

Hurricane Laura is yet another reminder of how low-income communities and communities of color are most vulnerable to climate-fueled disasters. How post-disaster recovery and disaster mitigation dollars are allocated contribute can put further distance between the haves and the have-nots.

NRDC Sues to Protect Kids from Perchlorate in Tap Water

September 3, 2020 Expert BlogErik D. Olson

The toxic chemical is a component of rocket fuel, munitions, and fireworks—and has already been found in drinking water in 26 states.

Katrina, Climate, and Justice: A Future in Foreshadow?

August 28, 2020 PerspectivesNew Orleans, LouisianaZaria Howell

After Hurricane Laura hit Louisiana just days before the Katrina remembrance, photojournalism from 15 years ago reminds us that disaster preparation isn’t just about wind and water.

Why Haven’t We Learned Hurricane Katrina’s Health Lessons?

August 28, 2020 Expert BlogJuanita Constible

We can’t keep ignoring the lessons of the past as climate change fuels increasingly severe disasters like Hurricane Laura.

What Is Climate Gentrification?

August 27, 2020 ExplainerUnited StatesShelia Hu

NRDC senior program advocate Sasha Forbes explains what it means to be displaced by climate change and why cities must invest in long-term housing affordability—and a self-sustaining future—for their low-income communities and communities of color.

CPUC Takes a Big First Step Toward Climate Change Adaptation

August 27, 2020 Expert BlogMohit Chhabra

California’s Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) just became the nation’s first utility regulator to take the impact of climate change on energy infrastructure and services seriously. This blog explains how climate change impacts each aspect of the energy system; how the…

Defender of Housing Justice

August 25, 2020 NRDC in ActionNew Orleans, United States, LouisianaJenny Shalant

Energy efficiency and social safety net advocate Khalil Shahyd explains why supporting affordable housing is intrinsic to the climate fight.

2020 Is Exposing Emergency Management Gaps

August 24, 2020 Expert BlogRob Moore

The events of 2020, and of the past few years, have exposed the need to bolster the nation’s emergency and disaster management capacity—a fact that is borne out in two recent reports from the GAO.

Connector of the Gulf South, 15 Years and Counting

August 24, 2020 DispatchNew Orleans, LouisianaKaren L. Smith-Janssen

Colette Pichon Battle is getting the conversation going—and the preparations moving—for Black and Indigenous communities of Louisiana who are still healing from Hurricane Katrina, even as they stand on the frontlines of climate change.

Mussels Help Keep Watch on Pollution in Puget Sound

August 20, 2020 DispatchWashingtonStarre Vartan

The humble bivalves, which concentrate everything from heavy metals to cancer drugs in their tissues, provide an ideal way for scientists to monitor nearshore water health.

Turn Off the Tap: “Forever” Toxics in CA Firefighting Foam

August 19, 2020 Expert BlogAvinash Kar

California is poised to take a big step to phase out one of the largest sources of toxic PFAS (per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances) pollution: firefighting foam used to fight flammable liquid fires.

The Entrepreneurs Transforming Scraps Into a Fashion Statement

August 18, 2020 DispatchNew York CityLauren Evans

A new generation of designers and resource specialists is springing up around the textile waste created by the fashion industry—and taking it to market.

Guest Blog: Reducing Nutrient Loss on Small No-Till Farm

August 17, 2020 Expert BlogArohi Sharma

Small farms need more research on how modern no-till practices affect nutrient loss

Organic Farming Protects Communities from Toxic Chemicals

August 14, 2020 Expert BlogAllison Johnson

Organic farming protects our soil, air, water, wildlife, and critically—our farming communities—from toxic pesticides.

Commonsense Solutions: Protecting Workers From Extreme Heat

August 7, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesTeniope Adewumi-Gunn

Protecting workers from the growing dangers of soaring temperatures is vital and the solutions are out there to do so. Here are three important actions Congress and the administration should prioritize to protect our workers from extreme heat.

NYS to Cut PFOA/PFOS "Forever Chemicals" from Drinking Water

July 30, 2020 Expert BlogNew York, United StatesEric A. Goldstein

Public water suppliers across New York State will be required to test for and ultimately slash harmful levels of the synthetic organic chemicals PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, according to new rules just adopted by State Health officials.

Arvind Kumar: Cool Roofs and Other Solutions During COVID-19

July 30, 2020 Expert BlogIndiaAnjali Jaiswal

Cool roofs and other solutions: Pandemic has sharpened need to make right choices for sustainable urban growth In the short-term, it’s crucial to ascertain how to respond to extreme heat and urbanisation challenges during a major pandemic.