News & Commentary

Poll: People Want Action on Plastics for Health and Wildlife

April 15, 2024 Expert BlogInternational, Canada, United States, Ohio, PennsylvaniaDaniel Rosenberg

New poll results show overwhelming public support for government action to address the plastic crisis, including a strong global plastics treaty.

In Planning for Climate Change, Native Americans Draw on the Past

March 11, 2024 ExplainerUnited States, CanadaTim Vanderpool

Across North America, Indigenous tribes and nations are consulting their traditional ecological knowledge to help prepare for a warming world.

DOE Puts People First: LNG Exports Paused Pending Review

January 31, 2024 Expert BlogWashington, D.C., Texas, Louisiana, PennsylvaniaMorgan Johnson

Biden DOE’s pause on LNG exports represents forward movement from an Environmental Justice lens, but must be met with real reform.

What DC Water's Boil Advisory Fumble Teaches Us About Lead

January 23, 2024 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Valerie Baron

DC Water put customers at risk. Safeguards being considered by the EPA for the new Lead and Copper Rule could help—if the agency gets it right.

Bipartisan Farm Bill Extension Signals Hope for 2024

December 15, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C., United StatesAllison Johnson, Matthew Kaplan, Jeff Slyfield, Jeffrey McManus

The one-year Farm Bill extension ensures short-term continuity, and we look forward to a full 2024 Farm Bill that protects people and the environment

We Need Healthy Farm Ecosystems – Not Harmful Pesticides

December 14, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C., Florida, CaliforniaAllison Johnson

EPA should do more to protect pollinators – and we need to ramp up resources to help farmers build healthy ecosystems themselves.

Year in Review for DOE Clean Energy Innovation and Perspectives for 2024

December 12, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Sangina Wright

Clean energy innovation remains an essential pillar of the clean energy transition. In 2023, we witnessed numerous exciting developments out of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)—all while partisan fighting in Congress threatened to derail the ability of DOE to…

Extinction Findings Underscore Need for Strong ESA

October 23, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lucas Rhoads, Katie Hobbs

Twenty-one long-missing endangered species have been declared extinct. Far from a failure of the ESA, the announcement shows the need for prompt ESA protections. 

Wahkohtowin Development: Creating an Indigenous Conservation Economy

October 12, 2023 Expert BlogCanadaDr. Julee Boan

Using a collaborative approach, Chapleau Cree, Missanabie Cree and Brunswick House First Nations are advancing a new paradigm of sustainability.

Shifting Federal Funding to Communities: ECJ Program Could Be a Historic Opportunity

September 6, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Chantelle "Ella" Mendonsa

The EPA ECJ program grants directed over $2 billion to marginalized communities to reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to respond to environmental and climate justice challenges.

Funding the Government for FY2024, Part 1: The State of Play

August 29, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Kyle T. Jones

In part 1, I summarize the overarching state of the federal appropriations process right now.

Funding the Government for FY2024, Part 2: Calamity in the House

August 29, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Kyle T. Jones

In part 2, I review the shoddy work of the House of Representatives.

Funding the Government for FY2024, Part 3: The Senate to the Rescue?

August 29, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Kyle T. Jones

In part 3, I examine the more respectable work of the Senate and conclude with potential next steps.

UPDATED: Another Court Victory for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee

August 18, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lucas Rhoads

A court sided with NRDC in its latest lawsuit to protect the endangered rusty patched bumble bee, paving the way for critical habitat protections. 

A Farm Bill Worth Fighting For

August 2, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Allison Johnson, Valerie Baron, Matthew Kaplan

We need a good Farm Bill – that advances climate, health, and worker protections – not one that turns back the clock.

Walking the Talk: How Will Canada Halt and Reverse Biodiversity Loss?

July 19, 2023 Expert BlogCanadaDr. Julee Boan

NRDC is working with Canadian and international environmental non-governmental organizations to provide recommendations for how Canada can develop a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan that aligns with its commitments to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

Organic Needs a Boost in the Farm Bill

July 12, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Iowa, Washington, D.C.Allison Johnson

Our public investments in organic food production have not kept pace with the organic sector’s growth – and that’s a missed opportunity for domestic economic development. The Opportunities in Organic Act would help U.S. farms meet consumer demand by reducing…

The Supreme Court Gets Clean Water Supremely Wrong

June 29, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Jon Devine

The Supreme Court got the facts, the law, and the policy wrong in its recent ruling attacking wetland protections under the Clean Water Act.

Federal Agencies Restore Endangered Species Protections—Mostly

June 23, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lucas Rhoads

U.S. FWS and NMFS proposed to reverse prior rollbacks of protections for imperiled species, but more is needed.

Canada’s Caribou Protection Delays Bring More Forest Degradation

June 19, 2023 Expert BlogOntario, CanadaDr. Julee Boan

Canada gives Ontario another year to degrade at-risk caribou habitat, taking it further away from international promises to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.