Issue Areas

Environmental Issues: Environmental Justice

Harboring Pollution: The Dirty Truth about U.S. Ports
Report: Marine ports in the United States are major hubs of economic activity and major sources of pollution. This March 2004 report by NRDC and the Coalition for Clean Air assesses efforts at the 10 largest U.S. ports to control pollution, and provides an overview of policy and practical pollution mitigation recommendations.
Harboring Pollution: Strategies to Clean Up U.S. Ports
Report: U.S. seaports are the largest and most poorly regulated sources of urban pollution in the country. This August 2004 report by NRDC and the Coalition for Clean Air provides practical strategies and policies for port operators, regulatory agencies, and community-based organizations to reduce health-endangering air and water pollution, noise and light pollution that disrupts communities near ports, and harm to marine habitats.

The California Dump Dirty Diesels Campaign
Overview: Since 1990, NRDC's advocacy victories have brought about a 56 percent reduction in diesel soot emissions in California. While we have made great strides overall in protecting health and the environment in California, toxic hotspots such as ports, rail yards, and major freeways continue to present a serious risk for many of our communities.
Coal Is Hazardous to Your Health Coal-fired power plants threaten the environment and your health. Index: Burning coal releases enormous amounts of harmful pollutants into the air and water, with serious health consequences. Waste generated by coal-fired power plants contains hazardous pollutants that can contaminate our drinking water and cause cancer, birth defects and reproductive problems. This index of fact sheets describes the health hazards of our continued reliance on coal.
Breath-taking Premature Mortality Due to Particulate Air Pollution in 239 American Cities Report: Excerpts from a groundbreaking May 1996 NRDC report on premature mortality due to particulate air pollution in 239 American cities.

For additional policy documents, see the NRDC Document Bank.

We have the right to know what is in the air we breathe - A guest blog from Dominic Pierceall: posted by Diane Bailey, 6/17/13
The "New Bioeconomy": Synthetic Biology's Implications for the Environment, Health and Justice: posted by Jennifer Sass, 6/5/13
Let's End a Stinking Era: posted by Giulia C.S. Good Stefani, 5/23/13

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