News & Commentary

Meet the activists and NRDC staff propelling change, read our expert analysis, and learn about the latest challenges and solutions to advancing a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world.

Aerial view of the National Petroleum Reserve in northwestern Alaska

The Biden Administration Protects Millions of Acres of Arctic Alaska

April 19, 2024 Latest NewsAlaskaJenny Shalant

The new Special Areas Rule in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska could boost biodiversity and empower Indigenous Peoples to defend the lands they’ve relied on for generations.

Two adults and a child walk along a sandy shoreline

“Forever Chemicals” Called PFAS Show Up in Your Food, Clothes, and Home

April 10, 2024 ExplainerUnited StatesMolly M. Ginty, Courtney Lindwall

These toxic chemicals are so common in consumer products and manufacturing that they’re everywhere—including inside our bodies.

A river with green trees on either side, with yellow hills in the background

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.

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Discover intersectional viewpoints from activists and artists on the environmental issues of the moment.

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Electric vs. Gas Cars: Is It Cheaper to Drive an EV?

March 21, 2024 Latest NewsUnited StatesCourtney Lindwall

Chances are, yes. Here’s how to be sure.

Biden’s Clean Trucks Proposal Is Too Slow on Ditching Dirty Diesel

April 29, 2022 Latest NewsUnited StatesCourtney Lindwall

Communities in high-traffic corridors need trucks to stop polluting their air—and they need it now.

Living Among the Diesel Trucks: My Environmental Injustice Story

September 13, 2021 PerspectivesCaliforniaAndrea Guerra

To a college student who grew up surrounded by heavy truck traffic, warehouses, and commercial hubs in one of California’s most polluted communities, the push to electrify transportation is more than just urgent health policy—it’s personal.

Biden Pledges to Cut U.S. Carbon Emissions in Half by 2030

April 22, 2021 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

It’s urgent. It’s ambitious. But most of all, it’s totally doable.

What Biden Should Get Done on Day One (or Close to It)

January 20, 2021 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

Our next president could address many pressing environmental and public health issues right away—some with just a stroke of the executive pen.

Jennifer Granholm and Pete Buttigieg—Two Biden Cabinet Picks to Help Steer the Country Toward a Better Climate Future

December 21, 2020 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

A pair of policy wonks with a shared goal of creating jobs while cutting carbon pollution: That sounds pretty good after the last four years.

Public Transit Just Helped Save America. Now America Needs to Return the Favor.

July 2, 2020 PerspectivesUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

The Moving Forward Act could put more than $100 billion into our ailing bus, subway, and train infrastructure—promoting equity and strengthening public safety along the way.

The Environment in 2019: Glass-Half-Full Version

December 23, 2019 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

It’s easy to get hung up on all the bad stuff that happened. But there was actually some good stuff, too!

Trump Is Trying to Stand in the Way of Electric Cars. They’re Breezing Right Past Him.

April 12, 2019 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

While the president mocks low-emission vehicles, the rest of the country is busy paving the way for their big day.

Is High-Speed Rail on the Rocks?

March 22, 2019 PerspectivesUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

California’s proposed bullet train is in trouble, while a Texas project is meeting resistance. What’s going on?

Some Carmakers Put Their Faith in the Trump Administration. It’s Costing Them.

March 15, 2019 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

They thought the president might ease up a little on federal fuel-efficiency standards. They didn’t expect him to be so reckless.

Welcome to Oslo! NO PARKING.

February 1, 2019 Latest NewsInternationalJeff Turrentine

More and more European cities are effectively banning automobiles from their city centers—and it seems to be working out just fine for local businesses.

Freeing Towns From the Tyranny of the Automobile: A How-To Guide

October 26, 2018 PerspectivesUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

In his new book, urban planner Jeff Speck equips citizens with the tools they need to make their cities healthier—by making them more walkable.

The Nihilism of Trump’s Climate Policy

October 5, 2018 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

The administration cites the likelihood of catastrophic global temperature rise to justify gutting fuel-efficiency standards. Yes, you read that correctly.

Weakening Car Pollution Rules: This May Be Trump’s Dumbest Rollback Yet

August 3, 2018 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

The president wants to relax national fuel efficiency standards and bully states into scuttling their own plans for lower emissions and cleaner air.

When Public Transportation Leads to Gentrification

June 1, 2018 PerspectivesUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

Why transit-oriented development projects need to include affordable housing amid all those luxury condos and cafés.

To Save Cities, Invest in Mass Transit

February 23, 2018 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

The Department of Transportation’s TIGER program helps communities thrive by funding innovative transportation projects. Congress shouldn’t let Trump do away with it.