News & Commentary

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.

The U.K. Is Burning Canadian Forests for Fuel

February 28, 2024 Expert BlogCanada, InternationalCourtenay Lewis

Twenty-three environmental organizations stress that the U.K. government funding the incineration of imported Canadian wood pellets threatens climate progress.

A Tale of Two Capacity Auctions—and Still Too Much Coal

July 10, 2023 Expert BlogMidwest, IllinoisMeghan Hassett

A capacity price spike impacted Illinoisans’ electricity bills last June. What has MISO done to prevent it from happening again? It’s a mixed bag—with too many fossil fuels inside.

The Disinvestment in Centreville Continues

July 7, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisNatalia Ospina, Ihab Mikati

Despite years of community-led advocacy, a thorough and equitable plan to solve the flooding and sewage problems in Centreville has not yet been developed, which has led to a piecemeal approach and continued disinvestment.

Midwest states need a modern grid to supercharge clean energy goals

June 15, 2023 Expert BlogMinnesota, Midwest, Illinois, MichiganMeghan Hassett

Midwest states are already leading on clean energy, but achieving their goals depends on the power grid's readiness. We need the electricity system to catch up.

Questions Answered on Canadian Wildfires—a Public Health Threat Linked to Climate Change

June 12, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CanadaDr. Vijay Limaye

Here is some key information that may help us prepare for the future and address the fossil fuels at the root of the problem.

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?

Indigenous-led Collaborations Are Transforming Conservation

May 17, 2023 Expert BlogCanadaDr. Julee 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…

Communities First: Equity and Justice in the Just Transition

March 29, 2023 Expert BlogPeoria, United StatesClaudia Blanco Nuñez, Josh Axelrod

Without actions promoting equity and justice throughout the process, the renewable energy transition will fail to earn the trust of frontline communities.

New Program Will Help Ensure Reliable Electricity in the West

February 16, 2023 Expert BlogCanada, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, WestKelsie Gomanie

The Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP) is designed to provide benefits for customers, utilities, and the environment.

Equitable Building Decarbonization Across the Country: 2022

December 14, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, OregonCaroline Keicher, Joe O'Brien-Applegate

Policies and programs aimed at new construction and existing buildings continue to gain traction as communities and elected officials realize the feasibility and benefits of ambitious and equity-centered action.

Chicago’s New Plan for Clean, Healthy, Affordable Buildings

October 13, 2022 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoValeria Rincon

Peoria Students Get Hands-On Renewables Experience

September 6, 2022 Expert BlogPeoria, IllinoisAlyssa Brown, Selena Kyle

Chicago’s Plan for 100 Percent Clean Municipal Electricity

August 12, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoValeria Rincon, Megan Ross

The City of Chicago took an important step forward this week in the transition towards clean, electric buildings.

Unprecedented Rain Highlights Deep Inequities in Centreville

July 28, 2022 Expert BlogIllinoisNatalia Ospina, Meleah Geertsma

Immediate and comprehensive action must be taken by government at all levels to address the flooding and sewage crises.

Canada’s Boreal Forest: Why It’s So Important

July 1, 2022 ExplainerCanada

Protecting the boreal is not only about saving trees and wildlife, says NRDC’s Jennifer Skene. It’s also about the people who’ve been living on the land for millennia and the urgent fight against climate change.

Chicago 1995 Heat Wave Still Haunts EJ Communities

June 15, 2022 Expert BlogChicagoGina Ramirez

The Southeast Side of Chicago—like many communities of color around the country—has been put on the frontline of the effects of a worsening climate crisis.

Peoria's Soulside Yoga Studio Trains Scholarship Recipients

May 10, 2022 Expert BlogPeoria, IllinoisAlyssa Brown, Selena Kyle

Why Illinois Has a Power Supply Crunch, and How to Fix It

May 3, 2022 Expert BlogIllinoisJ.C. Kibbey

Market forces have driven a lot of coal power offline in the past decade—but regulatory barriers and outdated thinking by some utilities has led to missed opportunities to expand affordable clean energy resources.

SFI Offers Greenwashing of Unsustainable Logging

January 20, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, CanadaCourtenay Lewis

As the climate crisis intensifies, scientists stress that conserving never-logged primary forests must be a global priority for protecting carbon stores.