Data, Reports & Resources

NRDC is a leader and trusted source in environmental policy and research. 

From reports to issue briefs, we ensure accountability through peer review led by our Science Office, which provides data and scientific analysis that help shape and guide NRDC’s policies and positions. We also offer a range of other resources, such as 101 guides and consumer-focused scorecards to increase access to knowledge about how everyone can be a catalyst for change. 

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Soil Erosion 101

GuideKeith Mulvihill

The loss of topsoil to wind, rain, and other forces is a natural process, but when intensified by human activity, it can have negative environmental, societal, and economic impacts.

Industrial Agriculture 101

GuideUnited StatesNRDC

Giant farms—whether growing crops or animals—often rely heavily on chemicals and produce waste that pollutes the water and air. As a result, the system we’ve designed to feed the planet also takes a serious toll on its health.

Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms 101

GuideUnited StatesMelissa Denchak, Melanie Sturm

Ugly, foul-smelling and sometimes toxic, algal blooms are becoming more common in freshwater ecosystems like rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Here’s a look at how excess algae can impact the environment—and human health.

Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know

GuideUnited States, InternationalMelissa Denchak
Our rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and seas are drowning in chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. Here’s why―and what you can do to help.

Biodiversity 101

GuideInternational, United StatesCourtney Lindwall

How do we define and measure biodiversity—and just why is it so important?

Dirty Water Rule Case Documents

Legal filingsUnited States
These are some of the documents associated with District of Massachusetts: Conservation Law Foundation et al. v. EPA et al.—our case against the Dirty Water Rule.

Protect Latin America’s Natural Resources

OverviewColombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, ChileCarolina Herrera, Amanda Maxwell
NRDC is working to protect the region’s natural treasures from exploitation and to support sustainable development.

Advance Green Finance Solutions in Latin America

OverviewChile, Colombia, Costa Rica, MexicoDouglass Sims, Sarah Dougherty, Carolina Herrera, Amanda Maxwell
NRDC is working with partners in Latin America to ensure that the climate solutions communities need get the investments they require.

Harmful Algal Blooms

OverviewUnited States
What’s lurking in your lake? NRDC’s assessment of freshwater harmful algal bloom programs in the United States shows what states are doing—or not doing—to keep the public informed and protected.

Water Webinars 2020: Sharing Experiences Across the Americas

OverviewChile, Mexico, United States, CaliforniaAmanda Maxwell, Ed Osann, Tracy Quinn, Corinne Bell, Becky Hammer, Claire O'Connor, Joan Leary Matthews
NRDC and local partners are organizing a series of webinars about ensuring that more people and ecosystems are able to access clean water.

Guide to Building Healthy Soil

Issue BriefNorth Dakota, Montana, Idaho, United StatesArohi Sharma
As farmers prepare for the future, they cannot overlook the importance of soil health.

Inflation Reduction Act: A Big Step Toward a Climate-Safe Future

OverviewUnited StatesManish Bapna, Derek Murrow, Amanda Levin, Dr. Simon Mui, Luke Tonachel, Andrew Wetzler, Brendan Guy, Jake Schmidt, Sarah Dougherty, Carolina Herrera, Douglass Sims, Sasha Stashwick
Analysis on the 2022 climate bill by NRDC’s experts.