News & Commentary

Memphis & Pittsburgh Make Proclamations to Reduce Food Waste

March 23, 2021 Expert BlogMemphis, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaNina Sevilla

Cities participating in the Food Matters Regional Initiative are making public commitments to reduce food waste, and building leadership, credibility, and community buy-in throughout the process.

Proposed Settlement Aims to Clean Up Mercury in the Penobscot River Estuary

March 19, 2021 Expert BlogMaineNancy Marks

After two decades of litigation, a proposed consent decree from Maine People’s Alliance, NRDC, and Mallinckrodt US LLC could accelerate the recovery of Maine’s largest river.

New York’s Constitutional Right to Water: A First Step

March 18, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkAngela Guyadeen

A constitutional amendment on this November’s ballot will allow New Yorkers to vote on amending the state’s constitution to include a right to clean air and water, stating, “Each person shall have a right to clean air and water, and…

Feed People and the Soil, Starve Landfills and Incinerators

March 15, 2021 Expert BlogBaltimore, MarylandYvette Cabrera, Darby Hoover

At a time when one in four American adults face hunger, it is imperative that we look for ways to ensure food is eaten, not disposed.

School Districts Commit to Responsibly Raised Turkey

March 11, 2021 Expert BlogNew York City, New York, Los Angeles, California, Dallas, TexasLena Brook

Urban School Food Alliance sets new responsible antibiotics use standard for turkey in school meals.

UPDATED: Science, Polling Support NY Bill to Save Bees

March 3, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkDaniel Raichel

Senator Brad Hoylman introduced new language today for the Birds and Bees Protection Act, a bill that would make the state a national leader in safeguarding its bees, birds, water, and people from widespread neonicotinoid pesticide contamination.

More Than 2 Weeks, No Safe Water in Jackson, Mississippi

March 3, 2021 Expert BlogJackson, MississippiErik D. Olson

Residents of Jackson are fed up, living without safe water for more than 2 weeks. Here's what needs to happen to fix the problem.

Kicking Butts: NY Bill Proposes Banning Filtered Cigarettes

March 2, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkMarisa Guerrero, Rich Schrader

A new bill introduced in the New York State legislature would ban the sale of harmful filtered tobacco products, which are a known threat to human health and are destructive to our environment and waterways.

Major Victory in Coalition Push for Renewable Rikers Island

February 11, 2021 Expert BlogNew York CitySara Imperiale, Eric A. Goldstein

The New York City Council passed two bills that, when signed into law, will mark the beginning of the end for the notorious Rikers Island jail complex and transform the island into a model of green infrastructure and jobs.

Fossils and Nukes: The Downsides to Congress’ Latest Actions

December 23, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Josh Axelrod, Geoffrey H. Fettus

With the passage of significant energy and climate legislation as part of an end-of-year spending package, Congress cobbled together legislation with both major climate wins (including the phase-down of HFCs) and problematic handouts for the fossil fuel industry and dangerous…

Pebble Mine 2020 in Review: A Win for the Soul of the Earth

December 22, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, AlaskaJoel Reynolds

Army Corps denies permit for destructive Bristol Bay mega-mine, stunning company that vows to appeal, while Alaskans and opposition coalition focus on long-term protections for Bristol Bay.

Bipartisan States Commit to Clean and Healthy Transportation

December 21, 2020 Expert BlogMassachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Washington, D.C.Bruce Ho

A bipartisan group of Eastern states announce an agreement to modernize transportation.

How to Testify in Support of Composting in New York City

December 15, 2020 Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein

Here’s how you can stand up for community composting and make your voice heard at Friday’s New York City Council hearing.

NYC Parks Commissioner Pushing Out Community Composters

December 15, 2020 Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein

Neighborhood non-profit groups that have run successful and beloved community composting operations on parks properties for years are being ousted by New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver.

A New York Climate Justice Activist with Roots in the Blue Ridge Mountains

December 11, 2020 DispatchNew York City, Washington, D.C.Carmen Cusido

WE ACT’s director of environmental health and education, Taylor Morton, who found their path to environmental justice work through a childhood spent in nature, wants to help the next generation get outside without fear.

EPA Declines to Limit Deadly Soot Air Pollution

December 8, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Emily Davis, John Walke, Dr. Vijay Limaye

On its way out the door, the Trump Administration undermines the Clean Air Act and public health in a profound way.

Compost Matters—But Food Matters More

December 3, 2020 Expert BlogBaltimore, United StatesYvette Cabrera

With food waste reduction in mind, the Baltimore Food Matters team created a resource that could serve as a reminder to be cognizant of food waste, what we can do to prevent it, and how anyone can compost locally.

Lancet: What’s Needed to Protect Health from Climate & COVID

December 3, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, LouisianaJuanita Constible

We need a holistic response to protect our health from the collision of climate change, COVID-19, and racial injustice.

Virginia: Protect pipeline communities from COVID-19

November 17, 2020 Expert BlogVirginiaAmy Mall

Workplace and community safeguards for COVID-19 need to be in place before any work continues and in case full construction is permitted to resume during the pandemic.

These Farmer-Activists Are Fixing Our Racist and Unjust Food System

October 27, 2020 DispatchNew YorkNicole Greenfield

Black Farmer Fund is part of a collaboration of New York–based groups working to repair a system that has long discriminated against BIPOC farmers.