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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A plastic cup among a pile of wet leaves and branches on the ground

Single-Use Plastics 101

GuideUnited StatesCourtney Lindwall
Here’s everything you need to know about the most ubiquitous (and avoidable) kind of plastic waste: the kind made to be tossed in mere minutes.
A pipe sits atop dirt next to a building

Will Funds for Water Infrastructure Flow Fairly?

ReportUnited StatesBecky Hammer, Erik D. Olson
These report cards grade all 50 states on water funding equity.
A view of the cross-section of a cut water pipe

Getting the Lead Out: Removing Lead Pipes Would Yield Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in Health Benefits

Issue BriefUnited StatesErik D. Olson
Removing lead service lines could save the United States an estimated $786 billion from avoided health impacts over the next 35 years.

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Losing Ground: Flood Data Visualization Tool

MapUnited States
The federal government’s efforts to reduce repeated flooding are not keeping pace with current risk—let alone the increasing risk posed by sea level rise, increased severe weather, and other climate change impacts.

Climate Change and Health: Extreme Heat

MapUnited StatesDr. Kim Knowlton
Climate change threatens our health by warming the planet, exposing us to a range of heat-related illnesses. About two-thirds of Americans—nearly 210 million—live in areas with a greater-than-expected number of dangerous extreme heat days, new NRDC analysis finds.

Climate Change and Health: Air Quality

MapUnited StatesDr. Kim Knowlton
Climate change threatens the air you breathe by fueling smog and ragweed pollen. About 4 in 10 Americans—nearly 127 million—live in areas with both unhealthy smog and ragweed, a new NRDC analysis finds. To avoid making asthma and allergies even…

Energy-Burdened Communities Tool

MapLos Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, New Orleans, Birmingham, Atlanta, Memphis, Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, Kansas City (Kansas), Chicago, Milwaukee, Flint, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Richmond (Virginia), Greensboro

Energy burden has disproportionately impacted low-income communities of color for decades. NRDC is actively working to bring justice to these communities through this mapping tool.

Lead Pipes Are Widespread and Used in Every State

SurveyUnited States, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Texas, MinnesotaErik D. Olson, Alexandra Stubblefield
An NRDC survey estimates that there are at least 12.8 million water pipes that are, or may be, lead, spread across the entire country. Use our map to find out about your state.

Millions Served by Water Systems Detecting Lead

MapUnited StatesKristi Pullen Fedinick
An analysis by NRDC of the most recent EPA data shows that between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020, 186 million people in the United States—a staggering 56 percent of the U.S. population—drank water from drinking water systems detecting…

National and Alaska Survey on Pebble Mine (PDF)

Survey
A national poll reveals solid opposition to Pebble Mine, proposed at the headwaters of Bristol Bay, Alaska. Protecting salmon – and the jobs, people, and wildlife that depend on it – from the mine’s projected 10 billion tons of waste...

Gulf Coast Seafood Consumption Survey (PDF)

Survey
This document summarizes the results of an independent survey of seafood consumption rates of Gulf Coast residents and compares them to the estimates used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish safe levels of oil spill contaminants.

Results of Survey on Energy Issues (PDF)

Survey
In October, the Natural Resources Defense Council asked Belden Russonello & Stewart to conduct research into public attitudes on energy issues. They conducted a telephone survey of 800 adults to assess attitudes on energy issues during the height of gas...

Survey Questions on Energy Issues (PDF)

Survey
In October, the Natural Resources Defense Council asked Belden Russonello & Stewart to conduct research into public attitudes on energy issues. They conducted a telephone survey of 800 adults to assess attitudes on energy issues during the height of gas...