News & Commentary

In Landmark Victory for Indigenous Communities, Dakota Access Pipeline Ordered to Shut Down

July 7, 2020 Expert BlogNorth Dakota, South Dakota, IowaNRDC

The dangerous crude oil pipeline threatened the water supplies and ways of life for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. The win underscores the power of dogged defense by Indigenous groups and conservationists, as well as the importance of the National…

Expand the DAPL? Only Illinois Stands in the Way

May 5, 2020 DispatchIllinois, North Dakota, South DakotaSusan Cosier

Environmental advocates are fighting a proposal to double the amount of crude oil flowing through the pipeline.

Huge Win for Standing Rock and the National Environmental Policy Act

March 25, 2020 Expert BlogNorth Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, IllinoisDan West, Dr. Jennifer Sass

A federal court orders the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to write a full environmental impact statement for the Dakota Access Pipeline.

International Analyst

January 31, 2020 NRDC in ActionIndia, China, United StatesJeff Turrentine

Han Chen, energy policy manager in NRDC’s International Program, keeps the big picture in view as she works to advance a global clean energy transition.

America Should Export Clean Energy, Not Climate Chaos

August 29, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, China, InternationalDan West, Han Chen

As Congress revisits America’s foreign development strategies, it should prioritize clean energy solutions both at home and abroad to chart a more sustainable path forward and provide other countries with a truly clean energy financing alternative to Russia and China.

China to Strengthen Climate Target Next Year: Could Be Huge

August 9, 2019 Expert BlogChina, InternationalJake Schmidt, Alvin Lin

On the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Osaka at the end of June, China and France issued a statement with UN Secretary-General Guterres committing to strengthen their climate targets, or national determined contributions (NDCs), under the Paris Agreement next…

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and NRDC Confront Federal Failures

May 17, 2019 Expert BlogNorth Dakota, South DakotaDr. Jennifer Sass

IPCC 1.5°C Report: A Call to Transform Our Energy System

October 7, 2018 Expert BlogInternational, United States, ChinaHan Chen

The IPCC Special Report on 1.5C calls for immediate reductions in coal, oil and gas to avoid lockin-in high-carbon infrastructure, and calls for a rapid scaling up of renewable energy.

Stopping a Dakota Access Pipeline Leak in Under 10 Minutes? A Fairy Tale, Say the Standing Rock Sioux

May 21, 2018 DispatchNorth Dakota, South DakotaSusan Cosier

In a recent report, the tribe picks apart the pipeline company’s emergency response plan.

Drilling for Tax Cuts: The Devastating Alaska Provision

December 8, 2017 Latest NewsAlaskaJeff Turrentine

Most Americans, including many congressional Republicans, are strongly opposed to oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. So why is it attached to the tax bill?

Keeping a Close Watch on China’s Climate Transition

November 7, 2017 NRDC in ActionBeijing, Shanghai, ChinaJeff Turrentine

JingJing Qian, senior strategic advisor for NRDC’s China program, is bearing witness to some truly remarkable changes taking place in her home country. She’s also helping to make those changes happen.

The Fight to Keep Oil and Gas Rigs Out of Our Waters. For Good.

October 3, 2017 NRDC in ActionAlaska, Florida, California, Washington, United StatesMelissa Denchak

NRDC played a key role in banning offshore drilling in the Arctic and Atlantic. Once again, it’s fighting to protect those oceans—and the rest of America’s waters.

The Dakota Access Pipeline Fight Fuels Battles Across the Country

March 27, 2017 DispatchNorth Dakota, South DakotaSusan Cosier

DAPL may be underway, but the water protectors at Standing Rock taught us a lot about going up against the fossil fuel industry.

Where We Drill, We Spill: Commemorating Exxon Valdez

March 24, 2017 Expert BlogAlaskaFranz Matzner

A Statue at Standing Rock Sends a Powerful Message of Resistance

November 23, 2016 PerspectivesNorth DakotaClara Chaisson

Like the DAPL protesters, this artwork is "Not Afraid to Look" Big Oil in the eye.

His Ancestors Hunted Them—Now This Man Is on a Mission to Save Arctic Whales

April 13, 2016 DispatchArctic, AlaskaJason Bittel

As climate change and oil drilling threaten the northern seas, John Morrison is carving out biodiversity hot spots for conservation.

All’s Not Well

December 17, 2015 Latest NewsNorth DakotaSusan Cosier

North Dakota’s oil and gas boom is scaring away grassland birds.

Kotzebue Calling

August 31, 2015 DispatchAlaska, ArcticBruce Barcott

President Obama’s trip to the Arctic will reveal some cold, hard truths about the fossil-fuel industry’s impact on Alaskans.

Northward Ho!

August 27, 2015 Latest NewsArctic, AlaskaAlisa Opar

Obama is headed to the Arctic. Here are five things the president should put on his must-do-in-Alaska list.

China Commits to Cleaning Up

August 13, 2015 ExplainerChinaNicole Greenfield

The planet's largest carbon emitter is taking steps to brighten their future—and the world's.