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America Should Export Clean Energy, Not Climate Chaos

Expert BlogUnited States, China, InternationalDan West, Han Chen

As Congress revisits America’s foreign development strategies, it should prioritize clean energy solutions both at home and abroad to chart a more sustainable path forward and provide other countries with a truly clean energy financing alternative to Russia and China.

Are My Denim Jeans Bad for the Environment?

ExplainerUnited States, ChinaCourtney Lindwall
Environmental reporter Tatiana Schlossberg, author of "Inconspicuous Consumption," says the American staple needs a 21st-century overhaul for the sake of our water, climate, and health.

Showing Migrating Monarch Butterflies Some Southern Hospitality

DispatchMexico, Texas, HoustonRobynne Boyd
Non-native tropical milkweed fuels monarchs on their journey through southern states, but when cooler weather hits, the plant can bring parasites and starvation. Here’s what butterfly-loving southerners can do.

From Farms to Dollar Stores, One Woman’s Fight for Justice

DispatchAlbuquerque, New MexicoNicole Greenfield
In her long history as a community organizer and environmental justice activist, Helga Garza has advocated for clean water and nontoxic toys. Her current mission: making fresh, local produce accessible.

Could the Climate Crisis Spell the End for Maine Lobster?

DispatchMaineNicole Greenfield
The state’s thriving lobster industry owes a lot to smart fishery conservation measures implemented over the past three decades. But given the Gulf of Maine’s rapid warming, how far can these interventions go?

World Wildlife Conference: Last Chance for Vaquita

Expert BlogWest, California, MexicoZak Smith

The smallest porpoise species, found only in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico, has only around ten individuals left, making it the most critically endangered marine mammal on the planet.

China to Strengthen Climate Target Next Year: Could Be Huge

Expert BlogChina, InternationalJake Schmidt, Alvin Lin

On the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Osaka at the end of June, China and France issued a statement with UN Secretary-General Guterres committing to strengthen their climate targets, or national determined contributions (NDCs), under the Paris Agreement next…

Campaign Pushes for Fresh, Local Food at Dollar General

Expert BlogAlbuquerque, New MexicoSara Imperiale, Margaret Brown

A delegation from the Campaign for Healthier Solutions attended the 2019 Dollar General shareholder meeting to insist that Dollar General phase out toxic chemicals from its consumer products and source locally grown, fresh produce to better protect the health of…

Inside the Fight for Clean Water in Newark

DispatchNewark, New JerseyCourtney Lindwall
Denials and delays from city officials have failed to keep residents safe from high levels of lead in their drinking water. These community organizers are busy picking up the slack.

Newark’s Lead Crisis Continues: Even Higher Levels in 2019

Expert BlogNewarkErik D. Olson

The first few months of 2019 have brought disturbing news for Newark residents—skyrocketing levels of lead in drinking water. Since the start of the year, more than 10 percent of Newark’s reported drinking water samples have exceeded 66.9 parts per…

Albuquerque Is Wiring Up Millennials to Work With the Sun

DispatchAlbuquerque, New MexicoBecca Cudmore
With its plan to source all city energy needs from renewable power by 2022, Albuquerque, a winner of the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge, is also jump-starting its solar workforce.

A Fracking Boom Ransacks the Four Corners

DispatchNew MexicoTim Vanderpool
Native American activists in northwest New Mexico are putting up a firm resistance as the U.S. Bureau of Land Management hands over their homeland to allies in the oil and gas industry.

Why Benchmarking Is Critical for Saving Energy in China

Expert BlogChinaBarbara Finamore

Over two-thirds of existing buildings in China are energy inefficient; this energy consumption accounts for about one-fourth of the country’s total CO2 emissions. Fortunately, Shanghai’s Changning District is now focusing on tackling this issue: China’s first building energy efficiency benchmarking…

Facing Down the Ivory Sellers, Pangolin Poachers, and Giraffe Traders

NRDC in ActionNew York, California, Hawaii, United States, ChinaNicole Greenfield
Elly Pepper, deputy director of NRDC’s Wildlife Trade Initiative, says there’s much that U.S. advocates can do to end the illegal marketplaces endangering animals across the globe.

The Festering Sanitation Crisis at Our Border

DispatchArizona, Mexico, CaliforniaTim Vanderpool
As the Trump administration ratchets up its rhetoric demanding billions for a wall, American communities along the Mexico border are in need of basic services, like reliable sewage treatment.

All Eyes on China's Clean Energy Leadership

Expert BlogChinaBarbara Finamore

As climate studies grow more urgent and the Trump administration continues to undermine climate action, all eyes are on the world’s biggest country—and currently its biggest polluter—to model the way forward.