Issue Areas

Environmental Justice

The Environmental Justice Movement

It's a statistical fact: The poor and people of color are more likely to live in America's most-polluted neighborhoods. Poor communities are routinely targeted to host facilities with negative environmental impacts, such as landfills, dirty factories, truck depots and more. For decades, a community-based movement known as environmental justice has been battling these inequities and struggling to improve the environmental health of these neighborhoods. Read more »

Our Work in the Gulf

NRDC's work in the Gulf of Mexico region dates back to Hurricane Katrina. When the storm hit in 2005, our scientists and lawyers worked closely with the hardest-hit communities around New Orleans to advocate for stronger health protections and to help residents safely clean up their homes and neighborhoods. In the wake of the BP oil disaster we remain committed to helping the rich ecological, cultural, and economic center of the Gulf fully recover. Read more »

Fact Sheet

Disease Clusters Spotlight the Need to Protect People from Toxic Chemicals

An unusually large number of people sickened by a disease in a certain place and time is known as a 'disease cluster'. Clusters of cancer, birth defects, and other chronic illnesses have sometimes been linked to chemicals or other toxic pollutants in local communities, although these links can be controversial. Read more »

Overview

Partnerships for Change

Over the years, NRDC has joined forces with community-based grassroots groups across the country to help protect the health and environment of local communities from harmful industrial development and toxic pollution. Read more »

Overview

Rebuilding New Orleans

A warmer world will bring everything from dirtier air and water to more severe floods and droughts. Learn what we face unless we take action now. Read more »

Guide

You Can Beat City Hall

Want to keep polluters out of your neighborhood? These community-action tips will help get you started. Read more »