News & Commentary

NRDC and Partners Win Ashden Award for Heat Action Plans

July 2, 2020 Expert BlogIndiaAnjali Jaiswal

The winners of the 2020 Ashden Awards have been announced this week. NRDC is deeply honored to have received on behalf of esteemed partners for the award for Cool Cities for our work on Heat Action Plans and Cool Roofs…

Planning for My Grandkids’ Future

July 2, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesGina McCarthy

Clean energy is the most effective solution to the climate crisis, and one of the greatest gifts we can leave the next generation.

A Pivotal Moment for Sustainable Transportation

July 1, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesAnn Shikany

The billions of taxpayer dollars we spend on transportation infrastructure can repair the damage caused by decades of racism, pollution, and inequity, or they can dig us deeper.

Invest in Infrastructure with Qualified Infrastructure Bonds

July 1, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesDouglass Sims

The infrastructure crisis in the United States undergirds the COVID-19 and climate crises and saps our ability to be resilient.

House Climate Plan Offers Bold Vision for the Future

July 1, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesMarc Boom, Jamie Consuegra

This is clearly the most detailed, robust congressional plan on climate change we have seen to date and we hope Congress will act on its solutions quickly. The big picture take away is that this plan recognizes the need for…

SFI’s Proposed Updates Offer Greenwashing, Not Solutions

July 1, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesCourtenay Lewis

They play lip service to Indigenous Peoples, climate change, and threatened species, without requiring any meaningful requirements for forest operators to actually protect them.

What Does Climate Adaptation Look Like in Latin America?  

July 1, 2020 Expert BlogInternationalJessica Carey-Webb

Cuando llegue el próximo gran desastre climático y con el aumento de calentamiento global, ¿qué tan preparados y adaptables podremos estar?

China, Top Player in World A/C Market, Raises Efficiency Bar

July 1, 2020 Expert BlogChinaNoah Horowitz, Alex Hillbrand

China implemented one of the world’s most stringent energy efficiency requirements for room air conditioners today. The move by the globe’s largest buyer and manufacturer of these appliances will save huge amounts of carbon-intensive electricity, putting a formidable dent in…

House Climate Plan Takes Aim at Flooding and Sea Level Rise

July 1, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesRob Moore

The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis has some solid recommendations for how the nation can address flooding and sea level rise. Better codes and standards, insurance, and major reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program are among the…

Agreement Proposed to Reform San Diego Commercial EV Rates

July 1, 2020 Expert BlogSan Diego, CaliforniaMiles Muller

San Diego Gas & Electric's new rates pave the path for more sustainable commercial EV rate design, and utilities across the country should follow suit.

Electric Vehicles Are Driving Rates Down

July 1, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesMax Baumhefner

Real-world data demonstrates that EV drivers are contributing more to body of utility customers than associated costs, putting downward pressure on electric rates to the benefit of all utility customers.

Strategic Gas Planning Is Vital to NY's Climate Leadership

June 30, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkSamantha Wilt

With transparency, sufficient data, and stakeholder engagement, New York can ensure the gas system transition is as equitable, cost-effective, and certain as possible while achieving its nation-leading climate goals.

The Scientific Basis for Managing PFAS as a Chemical Class

June 30, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesDr. Anna Reade

Managing the risk of these “forever chemicals” has focused primarily on one chemical—out of thousands—at a time. It doesn’t work, so we must change this system to protect public health.

Trump’s EPA Must Protect and Secure Clean Air For All

June 30, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesJohn Walke, Emily Davis, Dr. Vijay Limaye

NRDC responds to EPA's deadly proposal.

California-Chile Water Nexus 1: Urban Drought Solutions

June 30, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaAmanda Maxwell, Tracy Quinn

Though the two places are separated by thousands of miles, a quick glance at California and central Chile reveals striking similarities. Both share a long Pacific coastline, large agriculture economies, and similar Mediterranean climates perfect for wine growing, leading to…

NRDC Sues FERC Over Orders that Threaten NY Clean Energy

June 30, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkChristopher Casey

The FERC orders undermine New York’s State efforts to achieve landmark clean energy targets and also compromise efforts to replace dirty peaker plants in New York City with renewable energy and battery storage solutions, which is vitally important for reducing…

Urban Innovator

June 30, 2020 NRDC in ActionCharlotte, North Carolina, St. Petersburg, Florida, St. Paul, Minnesota, Austin, TexasKeith Mulvihill

Through her work in the buildings sector, Wendy Lee helps propel cities into a fairer and more energy-efficient future.

Bold Action to Save our Global Life Support System

June 30, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesDrevet Hunt, Helen O'Shea, Zak Smith

Given the scale and scope of the challenges we face, the 30x30 plan is a down payment on a new relationship with nature that we must forge to keep our global life support system in operation.

Our Climate and Ocean in Crisis

June 30, 2020 Expert BlogUnited StatesAlison Chase

Climate change has harmed our ocean, but our ocean can still help turn the tide. Today’s House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis report highlights the need to protect and restore U.S. land, inland waters, and ocean areas in order…

China Leveraging Green Finance for a Green Economic Recovery

June 30, 2020 Expert BlogChinaAlfonso Pating

China’s decarbonization can leverage assets owned by its commercial banks, with total outstanding loan balance of Chinese commercial banks is approaching 120 trillion RMB, to stimulate a green economic recovery.