Issue Areas

Environmental Issues: Sustainable Communities

Communities Tackle Global Warming A Guide to California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (SB 375) Issue Paper: California's Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, SB 375, is the nation's first legislation to link transportation and land use planning with global warming. SB 375 is an important step toward a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous California. Locating housing closer to jobs and transit choices and creating walkable communities can reduce commute times, cut millions of tons of global warming pollution, and improve quality of life.

Tackling Water Scarcity Five Southern California Water Agencies Lead the Way to a More Sustainable Tomorrow Issue Brief: Water scarcity has long been a fact of life across much of the southwestern United States. Changing climate patterns, growing populations, and over-tapped aquifer and river systems call for bold strategies to meet water supply needs for this region.
NRDC Support for SB 147
Comments: On April 4, 2011, Sarah Janssen and Victoria Rome of Natural Resources Defense Council sent a letter to Senator Curren Price, Chair of the California State Senate's Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee, in support of SB 147 -- the Consumer Choice Fire Safety Act. Get document in pdf.
Testimony of Dr. Sarah Janssen for California's SB 772
Testimony: On July 7, 2009, Sarah Janssen, senior scientist at Natural Resources Defense Council, testified for SB 772 before the California Assembly Committee on Health. The bill would have banned the use of certain flame retardants in children's products. Get document in pdf.
Testimony of Dr. Sarah Janssen on TB 117, the Upholstered Furniture Flammability Standard
Testimony: On July 23, 2012, Sarah Janssen, senior scientist at Natural Resources Defense Council, testified before California's Department of Consumer Affairs in Sacramento where a public workshop was held on TB 117, the Upholstered Furniture Flammability Standard. Get document in pdf.

For additional policy documents, see the NRDC Document Bank.

Kaid Benfield writes about development, community and the environment on Switchboard.

Is it time for "smarter smart growth"?: posted by Kaid Benfield, 5/1/13
The case for building on a city's historic assets: posted by Kaid Benfield, 4/29/13
An amazing, entertaining vision for greening Rio's working port: posted by Kaid Benfield, 4/26/13

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