News & Commentary

Why Forest Carbon Offsets Aren’t a Substitute for Slashing Emissions

May 16, 2022 ExplainerInternational, United StatesRobynne Boyd

Companies need to both protect forests and cut carbon emissions in order to fight climate change (and look good doing it).

Made in the Shade: The Promise of Farming with Solar Panels

February 23, 2022 ExplainerUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

Could we integrate solar power and crop cultivation to the benefit of both? It’s called agrivoltaics—and if done right, it may catch on.

How Deep Were the Impacts of the BP Oil Disaster?

April 8, 2020 ExplainerUnited StatesMelissa Denchak

A decade later, the Gulf of Mexico is still far from fully recovered.

What Does the Plastic Bag Ban Mean for New Yorkers?

February 27, 2020 ExplainerNew York, United StatesCourtney Lindwall

Here’s everything you need to know before plastic carryout bags disappear from the Empire State on March 1.

Are Kentucky Farms Under Attack from Flocks of Ravenous Vultures? Not Quite.

September 6, 2019 ExplainerUnited States, KentuckyJason Bittel

Scientists respond to an Associated Press article that paints black vultures and turkey vultures as “flying fiends.”

Are My Denim Jeans Bad for the Environment?

August 27, 2019 ExplainerUnited States, ChinaCourtney Lindwall

Environmental reporter Tatiana Schlossberg, author of "Inconspicuous Consumption," says the American staple needs a 21st-century overhaul for the sake of our water, climate, and health.

Are Giraffes Endangered?

August 13, 2019 ExplainerInternational, United States

Conservation scientists say giraffes are headed toward extinction. Now the U.S. government must catch up with the scientific consensus.

Orcas in Peril, Part I: An Ocean Empty of Food

February 28, 2019 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalPerrin Ireland

Southern Resident killer whales of the Salish Sea face many challenges, but the threat of death from starvation is especially dire. Thankfully, there's a solution—and we need to help make it happen.

The Crazy Snake Worm Invasion You Haven’t Heard About

February 21, 2019 ExplainerUnited StatesJason Bittel

Earthworms may seem harmless, but they have the power to transform some of America’s forests—and not in a good way.

After 140 Million Years, the Chinese Sturgeon May Soon Be Extinct

November 20, 2018 ExplainerChinaJason Bittel

As dams have popped up in the Yangtze River, one of the world’s biggest freshwater fish is running out of room—and time.

Cape Cod’s Gray Seal and White Shark Problem Is Not Black-and-White

November 9, 2018 ExplainerUnited States, MassachusettsJason Bittel

After a rare shark bite takes a life, some in this beach region want to go after the seals.

Will Shifting to Reusable Straws Really Make a Difference?

August 1, 2018 ExplainerUnited States, International

NRDC’s Eric Goldstein gives the scoop on the latest environmental villain and explains why plastic straws really are a big menace to our oceans.

How Can I Protect Wildlife in My Community?

June 18, 2018 ExplainerUnited States

NRDC conservation expert Sylvia Fallon offers tips for being a better neighbor to local animals.

What’s Happening to the North Atlantic Right Whale Is Just Plain Wrong

June 7, 2018 ExplainerInternationalJason Bittel

Scientists say the species could be functionally extinct in just a few decades—but there are some solutions within reach.

Threats to Monarch Butterflies

May 3, 2018 ExplainerMexico, United States, Canada, California

Famous for their elegant colors and transcontinental feats of migration, these beloved pollinators are also in free fall, as habitat loss and heavy use of herbicides jeopardize their future.

How Can Endangered Species Be on Both IUCN’s Red List and the New Green List?

April 27, 2018 ExplainerInternationalJason Bittel

Because conservation is working—and success should be celebrated.

Environmental Advocacy Is a First Amendment Right

October 31, 2017 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Industrial polluters have gone to great lengths to stifle environmental advocacy, but their expansion of censorship laws has finally crossed a line for some federal judges.

Dogs Are a Kiwi’s Best Friend (and Worst Enemy)

October 26, 2017 ExplainerInternationalJason Bittel

Nonnative wildlife and pets are running amok in New Zealand, but these canines are part of the solution.

The Unassuming Crayfish—and Its Path of Devastation

October 5, 2017 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalJason Bittel

Do not underestimate the signal crayfish. It’s both a keystone species and a merciless invader of foreign streams.

When Clean Water’s Not Clear

July 14, 2017 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer

The Trump administration wants to open our waterways back up to pollution.