News & Commentary

New Yorkers Deserve to Know That Gas Stoves Emit Dangerous Pollutants

May 31, 2024 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader

The New York Healthy Homes Right to Know Act would require signage and labels that detail the health risks of using a gas stove.

New York State Legislature Strikes A Blow Against Plastic Pollution

May 10, 2024 Expert BlogNew YorkEric A. Goldstein

Going, going, almost gone! Just-passed New York State legislation would prohibit the sale and distribution of fossil fuel–based, water-polluting polystyrene foam ice chests.

Poll: People Want Action on Plastics for Health and Wildlife

April 15, 2024 Expert BlogInternational, Canada, United States, Ohio, PennsylvaniaDaniel Rosenberg

New poll results show overwhelming public support for government action to address the plastic crisis, including a strong global plastics treaty.

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.

NRDC’s 2024 Legislative Agenda for a Healthy and Equitable Environment in New York

March 4, 2024 Expert BlogNew York, New YorkRich Schrader, Timothy Edland

The end of 2023 brought huge wins for New York and its environment. Here are our priorities for 2024.

New Law Will Show Location of Lead Drinking Water Pipes in New York

December 20, 2023 Expert BlogNew York, New York CityJoan Leary Matthews

The Lead Pipe Right to Know Act is the first step toward replacing all of the lead service lines in the state.

Was This Year’s Climate Week Just More Talk?

November 3, 2023 Expert BlogNew York CityZanagee Artis

Leaders in government and business must do more to phase out fossil fuels

America’s Failing Drinking Water System

October 5, 2023 ExplainerUnited States, Buffalo, Houston, Puerto Rico, California, FlintNicole Greenfield

First, Flint, Michigan; then, Jackson, Mississippi. Communities around the country wonder if their water quality problems will lead to the next national crisis.

Walking the Talk: How Will Canada Halt and Reverse Biodiversity Loss?

July 19, 2023 Expert BlogCanadaDr. Julee Boan

NRDC is working with Canadian and international environmental non-governmental organizations to provide recommendations for how Canada can develop a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan that aligns with its commitments to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

New York City: Replace Lead Drinking Water Pipes

July 18, 2023 Expert BlogNew York City, United StatesJoan Leary Matthews

One in five New Yorkers may be drinking lead-contaminated water. The New York City Council needs to replace all lead pipes within 10 years, at no cost to residents.

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.

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…

A Trojan Horse That Would Subvert Climate Justice in New York

April 5, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkChristopher Casey

Senate Bill S6030 is a greenhouse gas accounting boondoggle.

IPCC Report Leaves No More Room for Climate Denial in Logging

March 21, 2023 Expert BlogCanada, United States, InternationalJennifer Skene

Industrial logging is a significant driver of global climate change. Ignoring its emissions is a dangerous new form of climate denial.

New York Is Exposing the Fashion Industry for What It Is: a Climate Nightmare

February 13, 2023 DispatchNew York, New York City, InternationalNicole Greenfield

The state’s Fashion Act seeks to set a new trend of holding big brands accountable for their exploitation of workers and the environment.

Electrify to Fight Crazy Fuel Prices and Climate Change

December 22, 2022 Expert BlogNew YorkYeh-Tang Huang, Samantha Wilt

New Yorkers should electrify their homes and cars this winter to fight crazy fuel prices, climate change, and air pollution.

Delaware River Commission Further Guards Basin from Fracking

December 19, 2022 Expert BlogDelaware, New Jersey, New York, PennsylvaniaSahana Rao

The Delaware River Basin Commission has moved to further protect the 13,579 square-mile watershed by finalizing new rules that, among other things, ban the discharge of fracking wastewater.

Gearing Up for an Even Bigger Climate Fight in New York

July 14, 2022 Expert BlogNew YorkMarisa Guerrero, Rich Schrader

NRDC is preparing for the New York State legislative session in 2023, where we'll fight hard alongside our allies and partners for important bills that will protect our state and our planet from the worst effects of climate change.

Environmental Wins Abound in NY’s 2022 Legislative Session

July 14, 2022 Expert BlogNew YorkMarisa Guerrero, Rich Schrader

Read our recap of the environmental wins that passed in New York State's 2022 legislative session. With the tools to prevent climate catastrophe being dismantled at the federal level, this kind of bold action at the state level is more…

Mount Vernon: Where Environmental Injustice Became a Sewage Nightmare

June 27, 2022 NRDC in ActionNew YorkNicole Greenfield

For decades, residents of this majority-Black suburb of New York City have been dealing with a noxious infrastructure crisis with little recourse. Finally, they’re getting some relief.