News & Commentary

What the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA Ruling Means for Wetlands and Other Waterways

June 5, 2023 ExplainerUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

How the twisting of words in the Clean Water Act spells disaster.

Pollinators Notch Big Wins in Minnesota

May 26, 2023 Expert BlogSt. PaulLucas Rhoads

In a historic 2023 session, Minnesota reined in pesticide use, increased pollinator habitat, and built momentum toward additional protections. 

Idaho Approves Statewide Wolf Reduction Plan

May 24, 2023 Expert BlogIdaho, United StatesDr. Jennifer Sherry

We urge IDFG and all state wolf management programs to take a more objective and balanced approach and to avoid sweeping wolf reduction policies that are out of synch with the latest scientific knowledge, the views of the public, and…

The Proposed Colorado River Deal: A Short-Term Band-Aid for a Long-Term Problem

May 23, 2023 Expert BlogWest, California, Arizona, Nevada, MexicoDr. Mark Gold

The Colorado River conservation proposal from Arizona, California, and Nevada reduces diversions by 1 million acre feet a year. Is this enough to make river management sustainable?

Study Shows 14,000 Unplugged Oil and Gas Wells in Gulf of Mexico

May 23, 2023 Expert BlogTexas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, FloridaRebecca Loomis, Rebecca Ramirez

Industry has neglected thousands of unused oil and gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico. They will cost an estimated $30 billion to plug and decommission.

Shared Knowledge Is Power in the Northern Mariana Islands

May 22, 2023 DispatchInternationalShelia Hu

As Indigenous groups seek to comanage the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, elders help the next generation find opportunity on the islands in science and conservation. 

Lawmakers Propose Modern Approach to U.S. Mining

May 19, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod

Representative Raul Grijalva and Senator Martin Heinrich today are introducing legislation to tackle the historic harms and inequities of U.S. mining law and to chart a path forward on mineral supplies as we look to rapidly electrify our economy.

Congress Could Use a Reminder of What’s at Stake for Our Wildlife

May 19, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesKatie Hobbs

On Endangered Species Day, Congress can do more to combat the threats to wildlife survival.

Home Depot's Shareholders Should Oppose Board Leadership

May 17, 2023 Expert BlogWashingtonShelley Vinyard

One year after shareholders requested the company report on reducing its forest-sourcing risk, Home Depot has failed to address shareholder concerns.

Indigenous-led Collaborations Are Transforming Conservation

May 17, 2023 Expert BlogCanadaJulee Boan

The pressure is immense and the clock is ticking to ensure the course correction needed to stave off the worst climate and biodiversity impacts predicted for our industrialized world. A new collective, called the Restore, Assert, Defend (or RAD) Network…

A Good Week for Forests, a Bad Week for Bioenergy

May 16, 2023 Expert BlogInternationalMatt Williams

UK power company Drax had a VERY BAD WEEK recently.

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. 

President Biden Celebrates Pebble Veto: “The Mine Will Not Be Built.”

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

In the Rose Garden celebration of conservation achievements, President Joe Biden elevated the Pebble Mine veto—calling the Bristol Bay fishery “a marvel,” citing scientific consensus of unacceptable risk from large-scale mining, and thanking Alaska Natives and the broad-based coalition for…

It’s Time for IMO to Regulate Underwater Ship Noise

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogInternationalRegan Nelson

To protect ocean biodiversity, the International Maritime Organization must take action to require commercial ships to reduce underwater noise.

The Debt Limit: How Do We Get Out of This Mess?

May 9, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesKyle T. Jones

The United States is on the brink of a devastating debt default, but a bold new effort is underway in the House to help pave the way to fiscal sanity.

Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing—the Next Carbon Bomb?

May 8, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesValerie Cleland

President Biden’s decision on the next offshore oil and gas leasing program is expected just as polling shows that a majority of voters do not want to expand offshore drilling.

Triangle T Water District and the Absurdities of CA Water

May 3, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

While it may not be an outlier, the absurdity of the Triangle T Water District is a great example of why people say that in California, water flows uphill towards money.

NRDC Pathways Report: Nature-Based Solutions Vital to Meeting Climate Goals

May 3, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesDr. Daniel Rath, Niel Lawrence, Claire O'Connor, Garett Rose

Climate hope remains alive, and the NRDC Pathways Report identifies ways forward for natural climate solutions.

Comments Needed to Protect Critically Endangered Whale

May 1, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesLexi Nutkiewicz

Urgent action is needed to protect these critically endangered whales.

Public Land Grab: Senate Bill Gifts Miners Pass to Pollute

April 28, 2023 Expert BlogWest, Nevada, Idaho, United StatesJosh Axelrod

Senators Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) and Jim Risch (R-ID) have introduced legislation that makes it easier for mining companies and others to acquire rights to federal land and to be able to use them as dumping grounds and worse. The legislation…