News & Commentary

Take Action to Protect Bees During National Pollinator Week

June 22, 2020 Expert BlogNew York, New JerseyDaniel Raichel, Lucas Rhoads

This Pollinator week, let’s heed the science and skip the fluff. Here’s how you can take action now to protect pollinators and human health.

Ann Arbor’s Climate Plan Centers Community Voices

June 18, 2020 Expert BlogMichiganAviva Meyers

In its journey toward carbon neutrality, Ann Arbor is employing innovative ways to engage with community members. The city seeks input from frontline populations in order to create an equitable future where all Ann Arborites can thrive.

New York Bans Utility Shutoffs during COVID-19 Emergency

June 18, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkJoan Leary Matthews

New York is the first state to act via legislation to establish a statewide moratorium on all utility shutoffs—water, gas, electric, and telephone, including both publicly- and privately-owned utilities.

The Fight for Equitable Access to Water and Electricity Has Never Been More Urgent

June 3, 2020 NRDC in ActionDetroit, Michigan, United StatesCourtney Lindwall

In the midst of a pandemic, NRDC advocates are stepping up their work to prevent the risk of mass utility shutoffs, now and for the long-term.

A Translator for the Climate Crisis, Grief Included

May 4, 2020 NRDC in ActionNew York City, New York, Birmingham, AlabamaKaren L. Smith-Janssen

Writer, editor, teacher, and podcast host Mary Annaïse Heglar uses the art of storytelling to help people feel less alone in facing the climate crisis—and to build the movement for climate justice.

Mobilizer for Change

May 1, 2020 NRDC in ActionNew York CityCourtney Lindwall

Community manager Tejal Mankad is working to amplify the voices of today’s younger, more diverse environmental movement and to foster more awareness and action among NRDC’s 2.2 million social followers.

Reflections on the First Earth Day and What’s Ahead for New York

April 21, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader

On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, NRDC's New York Political Director reflects on attending the first Earth Day event in New York City in 1970, and far the city has come thanks to New York's leadership on climate.

Getting the Lead Out of Yonkers Schools

April 2, 2020 DispatchYonkers, New YorkNicole Greenfield

When New York State pulled back the curtain on its school lead problem, Yonkers stood out as one of the worst performers.

Environment Tops List of NY Budget Negotiations

March 18, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader

The environment—including the proposed Environmental Bond Act--is a top priority for New York State.

The Art of Agnes Denes May Be as Big (and Long-Lasting) as Her Legacy

March 10, 2020 PerspectivesNew York CityPatrick Rogers

In her mixing of art, mathematics, and environmentalism, Denes has been making “future works” since the 1970s.

Michigan Takes First Step to Address Lead in School Drinking Water

March 3, 2020 Expert BlogMichiganCyndi Roper

Investments in the Filter First approach provides health protections for children in schools and childcare centers; investments in programs that simply test for lead in drinking water do not.

What Does the Plastic Bag Ban Mean for New Yorkers?

February 27, 2020 ExplainerNew York, United StatesCourtney Lindwall

Here’s everything you need to know before plastic carryout bags disappear from the Empire State on March 1.

NYC’s New Plan Would Let Massive Sewage Overflows Continue

February 24, 2020 Expert BlogNew York, New York CityLarry Levine

Almost every time it rains in New York City, raw sewage, pet waste, trash, and polluted runoff flow into waterways where people swim, fish, row, kayak, and boat.

Defender of Energy Efficiency—and Equity

February 3, 2020 NRDC in ActionGeorgia, Detroit, Michigan, Baltimore, Maryland, Norfolk, VirginiaKeith Mulvihill

Dawone Robinson, regional director of NRDC’s Energy Efficiency for All Project, works to create opportunities for low-income communities of color to save energy and money.

With Family Roots in the Mines, He’s Championing Illinois’s Clean Energy Future

January 31, 2020 NRDC in ActionMichigan, Illinois, Chicago, PeoriaNicole Greenfield

With grassroots groups and other partners, J. C. Kibbey is fighting for one of the country’s most ambitious climate bills—and a just transition away from coal.

These Prehistoric Fish Are Making a Slow Comeback in the Midwest

January 23, 2020 DispatchWisconsin, MichiganSusan Cosier

Conservationists, fishers, and fans of the iconic lake sturgeon have seen some success in their efforts to revive the population, including through hand-rearing and releasing the babies—and yes, spearing the big ones.

One City’s Trash Is This Museum’s Treasure

December 18, 2019 PerspectivesNew York CityClara Chaisson

A collection of 45,000 items gleaned from New Yorkers’ garbage sends a powerful message about our consumption habits.

Fighting the Tide of Watered Down Justice

December 4, 2019 NRDC in ActionFlint, Michigan, Newark, New JerseyNicole Greenfield

Nearly three years after winning a $97 million legal settlement that required the city of Flint to replace its lead water service lines, NRDC is still on the ground holding officials accountable, and using similar tactics as we demand clean…

Michigan Drinking Water Protections Should Be EPA's Minimum

October 16, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, MichiganJeremy Orr

On the same day that Michigan’s most protective in the nation lead in drinking water rule cleared a major legal court challenge, the Trump Administration’s EPA actually pushed protections for the rest of America further back.

America’s Dairyland May Have a PFAS Problem

October 11, 2019 DispatchMidwest, Wisconsin, MaineSusan Cosier

The toxic chemicals have been showing up in milk around the country, prompting midwestern farmers to take a closer look at their land.