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A blurry image of a line of people wading through floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey in Beaumont Place, Houston, Texas, 2017

1.5 Degrees of Global Warming—Are We There Yet?

ExplainerUnited States, InternationalMolly Bergen
Here’s where the world stands in its fight against climate change. The end goal remains the same.
Pedestrians walking past the U.S. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Ends Chevron Deference—What Now?

ExplainerUnited StatesJeff Turrentine
For one, the ability of federal agencies like the EPA to set rules and enforce environmental protections now shrinks.
An illustration of two people lying down on grass surrounded by flowers on one side and litter on the other, with one person holding a ladybug in their hands

It’s Time to Talk about Climate Anxiety

ExplainerUnited StatesJenny Shalant
Don’t bottle it up—openly acknowledging your climate anxiety and grief gives you the power to heal and move forward.

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PFAS: No Forever Exemptions for Forever Chemicals

Expert BlogUnited StatesDr. Anna Reade, Alex Hillbrand, Dr. Richie Kaur, Dr. Katie Pelch
The goal is safer and better solutions, so any exemptions from laws and regulations restricting PFAS must be temporary.

What Are Heat Pump Air Conditioners?

ExplainerUnited StatesAlejandra Mejia Cunningham, Alex Hillbrand

They’re way more efficient and cost-effective than standard ACs. Even better, they double as carbon-slashing heating systems.

The Climate Math of Home Heating Electrification

Expert BlogUnited StatesAlex Hillbrand, Pierre Delforge

A new study shows that a typical U.S. home can cut its heating-related climate pollution by 45 percent to 72 percent by swapping out a gas-fired furnace for an efficient, all-electric heat pump.

It Was a Cool Year to Curb HFCs

Expert BlogUnited States, InternationalAlex Hillbrand, David Doniger
Here's a roundup of 2021 in HFC policy land.

EPA Moves Fast to Curb HFCs

Expert BlogUnited StatesChristina Theodoridi, Alex Hillbrand, David Doniger

The benefits of the new rule are huge, and it’s a significant step toward President Biden’s goal of cutting U.S. climate pollution by 50-52 percent by the end of this decade. But there’s plenty of work left to do.

China Accepts Kigali Amendment, Will Phase Down HFCs

Expert BlogChina, InternationalAlex Hillbrand, Mona Yew

China formally accepted the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol last week, the final step in bringing the world’s largest fluorochemical producer onboard with the global HFC phasedown. China’s ratification will be effective as of September 15th, 2021, making it…

Proposed AIM Act Rule Had its First EPA Public Hearing

Expert BlogUnited StatesAlex Hillbrand, Christina Theodoridi

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a public hearing last week on their first rule to implement the phasedown of super climate pollutants known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The takeaway: There’s strong stakeholder support for phasing out HFCs but several technical…

China Gives a Cool Boost to Effort to Reduce Global Warming

Expert BlogChinaAlex Hillbrand, Mona Yew
President Xi Jinping's announcement that China has decided to accept the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a major global climate win that should also lend a boost of confidence to broader…

AIM Act Allies Press EPA to Move Industries Beyond HFCs

Expert BlogUnited StatesDavid Doniger, Alex Hillbrand, Christina Theodoridi
NRDC and other environmental, state, and industry organizations called on the EPA to ban the super climate pollutants called hydrofluorocarbons from key applications where climate-friendlier alternatives are readily available.

HFC Phasedown Marks Top Climate Win of 116th Congress

Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.David Doniger, Alex Hillbrand
Year-end omnibus legislation includes a bill to phase down HFC super-pollutants—the biggest action this Congress has taken to meet the climate crisis.

Cooling with Less Warming: Updates from US, India and China

Expert BlogInternational, China, India, United StatesAnjali Jaiswal, Alex Hillbrand, Christina Theodoridi, Prima Madan
Find out the latest on sustainable cooling in the United States, India and China during the NRDC side event on Cooling with Less Warming during the Montreal Protocl meeting this week.

China, Top Player in World A/C Market, Raises Efficiency Bar

Expert BlogChinaNoah Horowitz, Alex Hillbrand
China implemented one of the world’s most stringent energy efficiency requirements for room air conditioners today. The move by the globe’s largest buyer and manufacturer of these appliances will save huge amounts of carbon-intensive electricity, putting a formidable dent in…