News & Commentary

Weaker Building Codes in North Carolina's Future.

May 22, 2024 Expert BlogNorth CarolinaRob Moore

North Carolina already has some of the weakest building codes in the nation when it comes to protecting people from hazards and disasters, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Division of Building Sciences. But the state’s legislature is determined…

Mapping Urban Heat Islands Is Helping These Neighborhoods Adapt

August 1, 2023 DispatchRaleigh, North Carolina, United StatesCourtney Lindwall

The Urban Heat Island mapping campaign is the largest national effort of its kind to identify why one section of a city can feel so different from another on any given summer day.

Charlotte Moves ‘Clean Ahead’ with Electric Bus Pilot

April 27, 2021 Expert BlogCharlotte, North CarolinaIrene Nielson, Zak Accuardi

Charlotte is leading on climate, air quality and health equity with a new battery electric bus pilot.

Latin America at the Leaders Summit on Climate

April 23, 2021 Expert BlogArgentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, MexicoCarolina Herrera, Jessica Carey-Webb, Marilyn Kunce, Amanda Maxwell

The five Latin American countries that participated in the Leaders Summit on Climate – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico – displayed a broad range of ambition. Once again, some countries demonstrated their willingness to be climate action leaders while…

Cities Are Leading the Way: 2020 Wins & Look Ahead

December 17, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Charlotte, Honolulu, Pittsburgh, St. LouisJay Orfield, Kimi Narita

Cities made tremendous progress in their climate challenge goals throughout a difficult 2020. Now, cities are eyeing all that is possible in the new year.

House Votes—Again—to Suspend Pebble Mine Funding

July 30, 2020 Expert BlogAlaska, United StatesTaryn Kiekow Heimer

The U.S. House of Representatives passed an appropriations minibus package that includes an amendment barring funding to issue a permit for the Pebble Mine.

Trump Administration Ignores Pebble Mine’s Dangers to Alaska

July 23, 2020 Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

Army Corps issues recklessly rushed and fatally flawed environmental review of the Pebble Mine.

Pebble Mine, Tom Collier, and 12.5 Million Pieces of Silver

July 16, 2020 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

Showing it “doesn’t give a rat’s ass what happens in Alaska,” the Army Corps of Engineers is expected this month to issue its fatally flawed EIS for the reckless Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, ignoring overwhelming opposition in Alaska but…

“Stop Pebble Mine” Coalition Gets the Word Out

July 14, 2020 Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

The ad is part of a Stop Pebble Mine media campaign developed by Bristol Bay Tribes, Alaskan business leaders, commercial fishermen, and community and nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting Bristol Bay from the imminent threat of the proposed Pebble Mine.

Like a Zombie, Reckless Pebble Mine Terrorizes Bristol Bay

July 13, 2020 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

Widely considered dead, massive mining scheme proposed for Bristol Bay headwaters by underfunded Canadian company is likely to be permitted this summer by Army Corps of Engineers despite unsolved technical, financial, and environmental flaws, deep opposition in Alaska, and blatant…

62% of Alaskans Oppose the Pebble Mine, New Poll Shows

July 10, 2020 Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

Most Alaskans do not support the Pebble Mine, as a new poll released by the Bristol Bay Defense Fund shows. The survey’s findings are one more piece of bad news for Pebble and its embattled owner Northern Dynasty Minerals.

Urban Innovator

June 30, 2020 NRDC in ActionCharlotte, North Carolina, St. Petersburg, Florida, St. Paul, Minnesota, Austin, TexasKeith Mulvihill

Through her work in the buildings sector, Wendy Lee helps propel cities into a fairer and more energy-efficient future.

Morgan Stanley Dumps the Pebble Mine, Northern Dynasty

June 22, 2020 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

Multinational investment banking and financial services firm reports over 99 percent reduction in shares of Northern Dynasty Minerals, sole owner of widely condemned Bristol Bay mining scheme.

NC's Missing the Big Picture on Climate Resilience

December 11, 2019 Expert BlogNorth CarolinaRob Moore

NC is applying for $168 million from HUD's CDBG-MIT fund. But NC is proposing to focus on a narrow range of projects and missing the larger opportunity to use these funds to make much-needed changes to a range of local…

Charlotte Is on Its Way to Becoming a Modern Transit Hub

December 11, 2019 DispatchCharlotte, North CarolinaJodi Helmer

The North Carolina city knows that as it grows, its residents will need (and want) to get out of their cars and catch the nearest bus, train, or streetcar.

With Dorian, NC Faces Same Hog Waste Threat as in Florence

September 5, 2019 Expert BlogNorth CarolinaValerie Baron

As Hurricane Dorian approaches a year later, not much has improved for North Carolinians since Hurricanes Florence and Michael.

Can't Touch This

December 16, 2014 Latest NewsAlaska

President Obama just protected the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery from oil and gas drilling.

Keys to the City

October 17, 2014 PerspectivesChicago, Pittsburgh, Bogotá, International, Reno, Canada, California

Nine leaders who are combating global climate change--starting with the places where they live.