Media Center

U.S. to Decide Whether Mexico's Failure to Protect Vaquita Warrants Embargo

April 10, 2023 Press ReleaseNew York

In a settlement filed in court Friday, the U.S. Department of the Interior agreed to determine whether Mexico has failed to stop illegal fishing and trade of totoaba that is driving the vaquita porpoise’s extinction. The determination could result in…

Report Shows Benefits of Clean Cars Program

February 28, 2023 Press ReleaseAlbany

New York's clean cars program would provide far-reaching benefits, including savings for drivers and fewer hospital visits.

Advocates Defend ‘the Birds and the Bees’ with Nation-Leading Legislation

February 27, 2023 Press ReleaseAlbany

A coalition of organizations flocked to Albany to rein in toxic neonic pesticides.

NY’s New Rule Paves the Path for Clean Cars

December 28, 2022 Press ReleaseNew York

ALBANY, NY – Today, New York State became the latest state to adopt the Advanced Clean Cars II rule, which ensures that by 2035 every new car and truck sold in the state will be zero-emission. This will result in a reduction in harmful greenhouse…

Birds and Bees Protection Act Public Hearing Sparks Debate

September 20, 2021 Press ReleaseNew York

Environmental, Health, and Farming Groups Flocked to Public Hearing on Neonics

New York State Proposes Clean Truck Rule to Reduce Air Pollution, Improve Public Health

September 8, 2021 Press ReleaseNew York

ALBANY, NY -- New York State announced the process to adopt the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule began today. The rule--which requires truck makers to produce an increasing number of clean, zero-emission trucks--will cut dangerous, polluting fossil fuel emissions throughout…

New York Will Phase Out Fossil Fuel-Powered Vehicles by 2035

April 27, 2021 Press ReleaseNew York

The State of New York passed legislation that will require sales of new cars and light trucks to be zero-emission by 2035. The law requires larger trucks and bus sales to do the same by 2045. This commitment aligns with…

Groups Sue Trump Administration for Rollback of Bird Protections

January 19, 2021 Press ReleaseNew York

NEW YORK – To reinstate bedrock protections for more than 1,000 species of waterfowl, raptors and songbirds, NRDC and partners filed a lawsuit today in the Southern District of New York challenging the Trump administration’s radical reinterpretation of the Migratory…

Court Overturns Trump Administration Policy That Sharply Curtailed Protections for Migratory Birds

August 11, 2020 Press ReleaseNew York

A federal court today overturned a Trump administration reinterpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that had upended decades of enforcement and let industry polluters entirely off the hook for killing birds.

Gulf of Maine Lobster Fishery Temporarily Loses Sustainable Seafood Certification

August 5, 2020 Press ReleaseNew York

New York— The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has suspended its certification of the Gulf of Maine lobster fishery after determining that the fishery was potentially jeopardizing the survival of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.

Rhino Reprieve: South African Trade Decision Averts Disaster; More Action Needed to Save the Species

April 21, 2016 Press ReleaseNew York

NEW YORK (April 21, 2016) — Today’s decision by South Africa to shelf its plan to lift the four decade ban on international trade in rhino horn was met with relief from experts at the Natural Resources Defense Council. NRDC…

Cuomo Lays Out Promising Clean Energy, Environmental Goals in 2016 State of the State Address

January 13, 2016 Press ReleaseNew York

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 13, 2016) – Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced plans to grow the state’s clean energy economy and protect its environment in his annual State of the State address.

Five States and D.C. to Look at Options to Jointly Reduce Transportation Sector Carbon Emissions

November 24, 2015 Press ReleaseNew York

NEW YORK (November 24, 2015) – Five Northeastern states and the District of Columbia announced a commitment today to look at options to jointly reduce carbon emissions from their transportation sectors, including market-based possibilities building upon the success of the…

Dow Told to Shelve Herbicide Threatening to Push Monarchs Over the Brink In New York Times Ad

July 7, 2015 Press ReleaseNew York

(New York, July 7, 2015) – The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) placed an ad in The New York Times today to increase the pressure on Dow Chemical to “end this chemical arms race” against nature by shelving its toxic…

Ocean Victory: More than Two Dozen Undersea Atlantic Coral Canyons Now Protected

June 10, 2015 Press ReleaseNew York

NEW YORK (June 10, 2015) — The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council today voted to protect 27 named deep sea canyons divided into 15 protection zones, as well as a vast swath of surrounding deep sea habitat, off the region’s coast…

NRDC Statement on Mayor de Blasio’s First Sustainability Plan

April 22, 2015 Press ReleaseNew York

NEW YORK (April 22, 2015) – Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration today released its first-ever sustainability plan for New York City, One New York: The Plan for A Strong and Just City (OneNYC). The plan builds and expands on former…

China’s one-year ban on ivory imports is a big step forward – but more reform is needed

February 26, 2015 Press ReleaseNew York

NEW YORK (February 26, 2015) — In an important recognition of the role Chinese citizens’ appetite for ivory has played in helping to fuel the slaughter of African elephants, Chinese officials today announced a one-year ban on African ivory carving…

Governor Cuomo Signs New York Ban on Ivory Trade into Law on World Elephant Day

August 12, 2014 Press ReleaseNew York

NEW YORK (August 12, 2014) – On World Elephant Day, Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed a law banning the trade of ivory antiques in the state and increasing penalties for traffickers, a move that can help curb the ongoing slaughter…

Suit Filed to Ensure Foreign Fisheries Meet American Standards for Dolphin and Whale Safety

July 2, 2014 Press ReleaseNew York

NEW YORK— Each year, nearly half of the more than 5 billion pounds of seafood consumed by Americans — including tuna, swordfish, shrimp, cod and other fish — comes from foreign fisheries that have not been shown as meeting U.S…

New York State Reaches Deal to Ban Ivory

June 17, 2014 Press ReleaseNew York

ALBANY (June 17, 2014) – A deal was reached today on a final bill that, when passed, will ban the trade of ivory antiques in the state and increased penalties for traffickers, a move that can make significant progress in…