News & Commentary

South Fork Wind Is Also a Victory for Whales

December 7, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkDr. Francine Kershaw

The first U.S. utility-scale offshore wind project turns on the lights—and was built with strong protections in place for endangered whales.

Biggest Grid Operator Can Curb Carbon and Keep Lights On

November 8, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Amanda Levin

A new analysis finds that the nation’s largest grid operator, PJM, can keep our air conditioner and heaters running while meeting EPA’s power plant carbon pollution standards – even during the hottest and coldest weeks. What’s more, they can do…

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. 

The World Is Mobilizing Against Big Biomass

October 18, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Courtenay Lewis, Elly Pepper, Rita Frost

This week, communities around the world will highlight that the production and export of forest-based biomass threatens communities and the climate.

Climate Week Participants Should Recognize Bioenergy as a Boondoggle

September 13, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Courtenay Lewis, Elly Pepper, Matt Williams

As Climate Week NYC begins, governments and companies shouldn't be fooled by industry claims that turning carbon-storing forests into wood pellets will save us.

New York City Remains a Battleground for Illegal Ivory Trade

August 31, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkIsabel Friedman, Rich Schrader

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announces new exhibit of confiscated ivory at the New York State Museum that educates the public about the harmful industry.

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. 

The Senate Must Defend the Success of DOE Clean Energy Programs

July 19, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Sangina Wright

The House’s Energy and Water bill contains harmful provisions for U.S. households, U.S. competitiveness in the global clean energy race, and our climate fight. 

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.

Landmark Neonic Bill Headed to Governor Hochul’s Desk

June 14, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkDaniel Raichel

The New York legislature passed a first-in-the-nation bill to dramatically curb the pesticides that decimate pollinators and threaten New Yorkers’ health.

A Blueprint for Advanced Industrial Manufacturing in New York

May 23, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkIan Wells

New York can lead the nation in low-carbon industrial manufacturing. Here is how.

Strengthen Power Plant Carbon Standards for Greater Climate Benefit

May 22, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Amanda Levin, Sophia Ahmed

Power plants have operated without accountability for their carbon emissions for too long. The proposal represents a good first step, however, the EPA should seize the opportunity to strengthen the standards in both scope and speed. This approach will help…

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. 

One Year Since Court Restored ESA Protections for Wolves

February 10, 2023 Expert BlogCalifornia, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, WisconsinDr. Jennifer Sherry

Without these protections, wolf recovery could be stopped dead in its tracks—or even reversed—as we have seen happen when states with authority over wolf management work to cut populations down through aggressive measures.

Advocates Swarm Against Neurotoxic Neonic Pesticides

February 1, 2023 Expert BlogNew York, AlbanyDaniel Raichel

With evidence of a steadily worsening neonic problem, New York must pass the Birds and Bees Protection Act.

What We Need to Know to Harness the Heat Beneath our Feet

October 13, 2022 Expert BlogMassachusetts, New York, ColoradoJoe O'Brien-Applegate, Alejandra Mejia Cunningham

Why Congress Must Pass the Climate Bill

July 29, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Manish Bapna

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is the strongest congressional climate action yet—in the moment we need it most.

The Senate’s Historic Opportunity to Lower Your Energy Bill

July 29, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Lauren Urbanek, Deron Lovaas

Buildings are responsible for about 40 percent of carbon emissions in the United States—but the investments in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will help to substantially reduce emissions from our buildings while lowering energy costs for consumers and improving…

Massive Clean Electricity Progress in Sight

July 29, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Derek Murrow, Amanda Levin, Sam Krasnow

Enacting budget reconciliation legislation will accelerate progress toward President Biden’s goal of 80 percent clean electricity by 2030.

Top Climate Elements in Senate Budget Reconciliation

July 29, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Derek Murrow, Amanda Levin

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will reduce greenhouse gas and other pollutants by giving people clean energy choices at low cost reduce household and business energy bills.