News & Commentary

Meet the activists and NRDC staff propelling change, read our expert analysis, and learn about the latest challenges and solutions to advancing a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world.

Latest News

Stay on top of the latest research, policy updates, publication releases, and environmental news. 

Explainer

Get a breakdown of complex climate, public health, nature, and equity topics to inform your activism.

Dispatch

Read about activists tackling climate justice and other environmental causes in their communities and beyond.

Perspectives

Discover intersectional viewpoints from activists and artists on the environmental issues of the moment.

NRDC in Action

Find out how NRDC protects people and the planet by learning about some of our key fights.

Expert Blogs

Hear from our policy advocates, scientists, and litigators about the challenges and solutions for building a healthier and more just world.

California’s Lead Problem: Partials Aren't Good Enough

Expert BlogCaliforniaCorinne Bell

President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda is a big opportunity for California to create high quality water-related jobs, to protect Californians, and to right the state’s course on lead pipe replacements.

NRDC Sets Region Specific Water Targets for Each Office

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.

The Bay-Delta Salmon Crisis That Didn’t Have to Be

Expert BlogCaliforniaKate Poole
Enough with playing politics with the heart of California’s freshwater system. It is well past time for both the state and federal governments to update standards for salmon management in the Bay-Delta.

Every State Should Have a Right to a Healthy Environment

Expert BlogNorth Carolina, Pennsylvania, Montana, Massachusetts, CaliforniaCorinne Bell
A few states currently have a constitutional right to a healthy environment and several more are working to enshrine such rights.

Hydro-Highway Robbery

Expert BlogChileJessica Carey-Webb
The Reguemos Chile project would benefit agribusinesses at the expense of the environment, small farmers, and Indigenous peoples.

Raising Shasta Dam Is an Even Worse Idea Than We Knew

Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi
The Trump Administration’s efforts to enlarge Shasta Dam was always a bad idea. In addition to being illegal under California law, it’s been clear for years that raising the height of the dam would destroy Native American sacred sites, harm…

Wilmington’s Battle With GenX, a Dangerous Teflon Chemical

DispatchNorth CarolinaJodi Helmer

A toxic chemical discovered in the drinking water system serving communities along North Carolina’s Cape Fear River raised the alarm about contamination from the nearby Chemours chemical plant. Although levels of GenX, used to make nonstick products, have receded, the…

Chile’s Ongoing Water Crisis: Threats and Needed Actions

Expert BlogChileCarolina Herrera
From too much water to not enough, this critical resource presents unique challenges in the Metropolitan Region (MR) of Chile, the hub of the country’s bustling capital and nearly half of the Chilean population.

California on PFAS: Missing the Forest For the Trees

Expert BlogCaliforniaDr. Anna Reade

California is missing a huge opportunity to deal more comprehensively with a large class of toxic, ‘forever’ chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in our drinking water. 

L.A. Takes a Fresh Look at Recycled Water

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.

Controversial New Pipelines May Slice Through the Southeast

DispatchVirginia, West Virginia, North CarolinaRobynne Boyd
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline—and the Mountain Valley Pipeline, with a similar path—could tear up land and negatively impact people throughout Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina.

This Is How We Stand Up to Trump

NRDC in ActionUnited States, Washington, D.C., Utah, Michigan, CaliforniaNicole Greenfield
Meet a handful of the NRDC staffers who resisted Trump’s attacks and defended our environment in 2017—and who won’t stop fighting anytime soon.

How California Will Weather Drought

ExplainerCalifornia, United States, West
Researchers outline four key actions the Golden State must take to ensure there's enough water to go around.

The Dirty Fight Over Canadian Tar Sands Oil

NRDC in ActionCanada, United StatesMelissa Denchak
For more than a decade, we've fought to keep this filthy fossil fuel from being dredged up and piped through the United States.