News & Commentary

Farm-to-Glass Supports Organic Farming

November 16, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C., Ohio, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Michigan, Maine, CaliforniaAllison Johnson

Cheers! NRDC and our partners toasted a good cause on Capitol Hill: growing organic!

CA’s Transformative Food & Farm Campaign Will Continue in 2024

November 7, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaArohi Sharma, Lena Brook

The California Legislature adjourned in September, officially turning the Food & Farm Resilience Coalition's climate bond campaign into a two-year effort. The bill proposes $3.65 billion for infrastructure that would reduce agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions while bringing healthier food options…

Nick Offerman "Face Plants" to Show Benefits of Cover Crops

September 20, 2023 Expert BlogLos AngelesArohi Sharma

Nick Offerman's quirky new video concludes with the tagline, "Don't treat soil like dirt," and is a key part of NRDC's campaign to promote cover crops in the next Farm Bill.

CARB Must Reform LCFS Program

August 23, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaKiki Velez

Will CARB listen to the community voices calling for change to the LCFS Program?

California Climate & Energy Policy Update: Summer 2023

July 27, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaMerrian Borgeson, Michele Knab Hasson

California has made strides in reducing emissions, spurred by the increasingly devastating impacts of climate disruption communities across the globe.

Organic Needs a Boost in the Farm Bill

July 12, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Iowa, Washington, D.C.Allison Johnson

Our public investments in organic food production have not kept pace with the organic sector’s growth – and that’s a missed opportunity for domestic economic development. The Opportunities in Organic Act would help U.S. farms meet consumer demand by reducing…

California Pesticide Bills on the Move—Again

June 2, 2023 Expert BlogSacramento, CaliforniaLucas Rhoads

The California Assembly  passed two bills that would help address widespread contamination of the state’s environment with pesticides like neurotoxic neonics.

CA Assembly Passes Climate-Resilient Food & Farming Bill

June 1, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaArohi Sharma

To help reduce agriculture-related emissions and create a more resilient food system, Assemblymember Lori Wilson introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 408, the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024. The Assembly passed AB 408, sending…

The Farm Bill Needs Opportunities in Organic

May 11, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Vermont, CaliforniaAllison Johnson

The Opportunities in Organic Act will put organic in reach for more producers and consumers.

California Advocacy Landscape

May 10, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaVictoria Rome

Environmental issues to watch in Sacramento

State Leadership Required to Bolster the Actions of CA Cities and Tackle Pollution from Buildings

May 2, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaMerrian Borgeson, Julia de Lamare

While the 9th Circuit Court ruling threatens local government action to cut pollution from gas appliances, California policy makers have several opportunities this legislative session to reinforce that local leaders are far from alone in the important work to get…

Poor-Quality HVAC Installs Are Costing Us. A Solution Is Within Reach.

April 17, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaKiki Velez, Merrian Borgeson

Only 10 percent of HVAC installations in California receive a permit—resulting in higher energy bills, climate emissions, and health and safety risks in homes. The state legislature can act now by passing SB 795 (Stern) to improve permit compliance.

Reforming CA's Electric Rates for Decarbonization and Equity

April 14, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaSylvie Ashford, Mohit Chhabra

NRDC and The Utility Reform Network submitted an electric rate design proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission to promote equity and encourage beneficial electrification. This is the first stage in a regulatory process to implement income-based fixed charges.

Riparian Forests: How California Farmers Can Protect Waterways

March 22, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaArohi Sharma

California can work with growers to scale up riparian forest buffers along farm and rangelands to help sequester carbon, protect waterways, and improve biodiversity.

NRDC Sues to Close Huge California Pesticide Loophole

February 19, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaLucas Rhoads

NRDC has sued the California Department of Pesticide Regulation for its failure to regulate crop seeds treated with pesticides. These "treated seed' uses are major sources of widespread pesticide contamination, and pose threats to pollinators, other wildlife, and people. 

How California’s Water Rights System Gouges You and Me

February 6, 2023 Expert BlogCalifornia

It's time for California’s water managers to reform this antiquated system and prioritize water for human health and safety and for the shared environment over water for farms.

Bill Relief, Efficiency, and Decarb Reduce Gas Price Shocks

February 2, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaJulia de Lamare, Ericka Flores

The California Public Utilities Commission can and must act now to protect low-income customers.

CA's New Scoping Plan Affirms Organic Ag as Climate Solution

December 16, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaLena Brook

The first-ever inclusion of organic farming in state climate policy.

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.

CA Clean Buildings Progress Report: 2022

December 14, 2022 Expert BlogCaliforniaKiki Velez, Merrian Borgeson

California’s progress offers a roadmap for transitioning to healthy, clean, and efficient buildings. What's next for the decarbonization leader?