News & Commentary

A Climate Week to Advance Urgent Change

September 18, 2023 Expert BlogInternational, United States, New York CityManish Bapna

As the hottest summer on record draws to a close, the next several months could determine whether the world rises to the moment—or blows past irreversible tipping points.

Time for New York City to Act on Extreme Heat

September 7, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New York CityEric A. Goldstein

The September heat wave now enveloping New York is a reminder that the time has arrived for officials in the nation’s largest city to further protect its residents from the dangers of extreme heat.

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.

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 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.

CDFA Soil Biodiversity Report: A Path to Protecting Our Living Soils

August 17, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Dr. Daniel Rath, Arohi Sharma

Soil biodiversity is both vital to our farms and under threat, and a new California report outlines paths forward for protecting it.

Lessons from the Field: Milan’s Food Waste Hubs

August 8, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Madeline Keating, Andrea Collins

Replicating international solutions for food waste reduction across cities

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.

NYC’s New Pizza Oven Rule Will Protect Neighborhood Air Quality

July 31, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New York CityEric A. Goldstein

The law will target the emissions and other air pollution that come through people’s windows from nearby pizza restaurants.

Advancing Sanitation Equity in the 2023 Farm Bill

July 27, 2023 Expert BlogAlabama, United StatesBecky Hammer

Increased and better-targeted USDA funding could help rural communities address sanitation challenges that threaten public health.

Poll Shows 82% of People Support Incentives to Farmers for Soil Health

July 18, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lara Bryant, Matthew Kaplan, Dr. Daniel Rath, Claire O'Connor

 Most Americans agree that global warming is a crisis that deserves our attention and action. 

New York City: Replace Lead Drinking Water Pipes

July 18, 2023 Expert BlogNew York City, United StatesJoan Leary Matthews

One in five New Yorkers may be drinking lead-contaminated water. The New York City Council needs to replace all lead pipes within 10 years, at no cost to residents.

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…

Extreme Heat Costs North Carolina Employers and Workers

July 6, 2023 Expert BlogNorth CarolinaJuanita Constible

North Carolina workers urgently need formal standards to protect them from the costly health consequences of extreme heat.

Major NYC Environmental Advance: City Council to Pass Universal Organics Collection Law

June 7, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New York CityEric A. Goldstein

New York City Council is poised to pass a law that would mandate organics collection.

RGGI States Learning and Sharing On Climate and Equity

June 6, 2023 Expert BlogEast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, VirginiaJackson Morris

A new report finds that the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative delivers on jobs, emissions reduction, and economic benefits—and provides a framework to address equity in the future.

New York Governments Collaborate to Tackle Environmental Injustice

May 22, 2023 Expert BlogMount Vernon, New YorkSahana Rao

A three-way partnership between the City of Mount Vernon, Westchester County, and the State of New York makes headway towards correcting the city's sewer crisis

COVER Act Will Modernize Crop Insurance

May 18, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lara Bryant

The COVER Act, led by Senator Brown (D-OH) and Representative Sean Casten (D-IL), is a bipartisan bill that offers farmers a $5 per acre good stewardship discount on crop insurance if they plant cover crops to improve their soil health.

House Agriculture Approps Bill Would Gut Key Farm Programs

May 17, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, PennsylvaniaAllison Johnson, Matthew Kaplan, Jeff Slyfield

Congress should go back to the drawing board and build a budget that supports a healthy food system, conservation, and rural energy

EPA: Neonics Likely Driving 200+ Species Toward Extinction

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lucas Rhoads

U.S. EPA's unprecedented findings confirm that widespread neonic pesticide use threatens critical pollinators, other wildlife, and whole ecosystems.