News & Commentary

The City Insider Proving that Mayors Can Lead on Climate

February 11, 2020 NRDC in ActionChicagoNicole Greenfield

Chris Wheat, who helped make Chicago a greener place from inside its city hall, is now helping empower city governments across the country to realize their many climate ambitions.

Lights, Camera, Action on Climate

February 6, 2020 NRDC in ActionLos AngelesKeith Mulvihill

Daniel Hinerfeld is partnering with TV and film writers, producers, and other Hollywood creatives to address climate change on-screen.

Protecting California From the Realities of Nonfloating Oil

October 16, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaJosh Axelrod

AB 936, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on October 12, 2019, takes proactive steps to prepare California for the risks of a nonfloating oil spill.

Landmark Victory: California Ditching Chlorpyrifos in 2020

October 10, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaMiriam Rotkin-Ellman

The bold move will protect children's health in the state and across the country—as well as get the ball rolling for other states to follow suit.

Blueprint of a Buyout: Des Plaines, Illinois

October 7, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, IllinoisAnna Weber

The City of Des Plaines has purchased 68 flood-prone homes, but not without extensive time and effort between multiple local, state, and federal agencies.

California's Clean Truck Rule: First of its Kind and Long Overdue

October 4, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaPatricio Portillo

California is launching a new rule to tackle one of the largest sources of pollution: medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

Newsom Admin Faces Difficult Tests on California Water This Fall

September 30, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaDoug Obegi

The Newsom Administration is expected to respond to upcoming tests of sustainable water management.

The Snow Must Go On

September 25, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaKate Poole

Climate change is bringing many changes to California’s water system, but one of the most concerning is the loss of the Sierra snowpack caused by warming temperatures.

Public Banks Will Help Fight Climate Change!

September 24, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaJulia Prochnik

Public Banks restore economic power to local communities, empowering them to invest in projects that fight climate change and improve their quality of life.

California Legislature Passes Landmark Nonfloating Oil Bill

September 12, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaAnn Alexander

The legislature has rightfully recognized, in passing the bill, that nonfloating oil is a disaster waiting to happen.

Dorian, Florence, Etc: The World at One Degree of Warming

September 10, 2019 Expert BlogNorth Carolina, South CarolinaRob Moore

Recent flooding and hurricanes have made it clear that climate change is a clear and present danger.

New CA Lawn Sprinkler Standards = Huge Water & Energy Savings

August 14, 2019 Expert BlogCaliforniaEd Osann

California officials have adopted one of the most important and consequential water-saving measures ever implemented by any state, establishing an efficiency standard for new spray sprinklers that will reduce irrigation system misting and overspray that is common around urban landscapes.

Keeping Water Demand in Check

August 13, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Los AngelesEd Osann

A new tool is shedding light on a growing mismatch between the supply and demand of fresh water.

Cities Fight to Keep Courts Open for Claims Against Big Oil

August 1, 2019 Expert BlogCalifornia, Baltimore, Rhode IslandDavid Hawkins, Pete Huffman

Federal appeals courts will soon hear important cases brought by municipal governments grappling with the mounting costs of climate change.

CA's $1 Billion for Efficiency Now Open to Electrification

August 1, 2019 Expert BlogCaliforniaMerrian Borgeson

The California Public Utilities Commission unanimously voted to update an efficiency policy to allow access to funding if an appliance saves energy and reduces air pollution, regardless of the technology.

Midwest Floods May Lead Illinois to New Solutions

July 18, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, IllinoisRob Moore

The Midwest floods of 2019 have caused hardship and loss but, Illinois has not seen much in the way of damages. Part of the reason is because Illinois has strong floodplain management regulations, something Governor Pritzker is expected to keep…

How to Do High Road Infrastructure: 10 Lessons from L.A.

May 15, 2019 Expert BlogLos AngelesDouglass Sims

In honor Infrastructure Week, guest blogger Dena Belzer, CEO of Strategic Economics reports out on her conversation with Cris Liban of LA Metro, on lessons learned for planning, designing, building and operating High Road infrastructure.

L.A. Takes a Fresh Look at Recycled Water

May 13, 2019 DispatchLos AngelesLauren Evans

Facing dwindling freshwater supplies, the city is ready to stop dumping millions of gallons into the Pacific—and to follow Orange County’s lead.

The Carolinas Face a Climate Trifecta: Floods, Fire, and Heat

January 28, 2019 DispatchNorth Carolina, South CarolinaRobynne Boyd

The National Climate Assessment’s outlook for the two coastal states is daunting, but local leaders are starting to dig in for a fight.

The Warning Lights Are Flashing for California’s Once-Glorious Salton Sea

August 6, 2018 DispatchCaliforniaStarre Vartan

Since this giant salty lake in the desert lost its water supply, its bird habitat has been shrinking and more toxic dust is wafting up from its dry lake bed. Can the Salton Sea be saved?