News & Commentary

Of Colorado's Wetlands Protection Bills, Only HB 1379 Gets the Job Done

April 29, 2024 Expert BlogColoradoSam Gilchrist

Colorado urgently needs to step up to safeguard our wetlands and streams left vulnerable by the Sackett decision.

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.

The Issue with Tissue Fifth Edition

September 19, 2023 Expert BlogCanadaAshley Jordan

Five years in, laggards remain far behind a growing number of sustainable tissue brands.

A Tale of Two Capacity Auctions—and Still Too Much Coal

July 10, 2023 Expert BlogMidwest, IllinoisMeghan Hassett

A capacity price spike impacted Illinoisans’ electricity bills last June. What has MISO done to prevent it from happening again? It’s a mixed bag—with too many fossil fuels inside.

The Disinvestment in Centreville Continues

July 7, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisNatalia Ospina, Ihab Mikati

Despite years of community-led advocacy, a thorough and equitable plan to solve the flooding and sewage problems in Centreville has not yet been developed, which has led to a piecemeal approach and continued disinvestment.

Questions Answered on Canadian Wildfires—a Public Health Threat Linked to Climate Change

June 12, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CanadaDr. Vijay Limaye

Here is some key information that may help us prepare for the future and address the fossil fuels at the root of the problem.

Colorado Leads the Way with a Climate-aligned Hydrogen Course

May 18, 2023 Expert BlogColoradoPete Budden

The Biden administration and other states should take note and follow suit.

Indigenous-led Collaborations Are Transforming Conservation

May 17, 2023 Expert BlogCanadaDr. Julee Boan

The pressure is immense and the clock is ticking to ensure the course correction needed to stave off the worst climate and biodiversity impacts predicted for our industrialized world. A new collective, called the Restore, Assert, Defend (or RAD) Network…

Auditor Calls for Canada’s Transparency on Logging Emissions

April 20, 2023 Expert BlogOttawaJennifer Skene

Canada's Environment Commissioner found that the Government of Canada has failed to transparently report on the climate impact of industrial logging, with potentially sweeping ramifications for its forest policymaking. 

New Program Will Help Ensure Reliable Electricity in the West

February 16, 2023 Expert BlogCanada, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, WestKelsie Gomanie

The Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP) is designed to provide benefits for customers, utilities, and the environment.

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.

Colorado River Basin Tribes Address a Historic Drought—and Their Water Rights—Head-On

November 14, 2022 DispatchColoradoTim Vanderpool

Their growing inclusion in the region’s water management will likely prove priceless.

Chicago’s New Plan for Clean, Healthy, Affordable Buildings

October 13, 2022 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoValeria Rincon

Environmental Injustice: Cumulative Impacts in Kansas City

September 21, 2022 Expert BlogKansas, Kansas City (Kansas), Kansas City (Missouri), MissouriDr. Veena Singla

The EPA is responsible for setting environmental regulations to limit the amount of pollution industrial facilities release. This approach has been ineffective in controlling exposures because they do not take into account the cumulative impacts or toxic air contaminants.

World Ozone Day: What The Ozone Treaty Does for Climate

September 15, 2022 Expert BlogMontreal, InternationalDavid Doniger

The Montreal Protocol does more than save the ozone layer -- it's a double bonus for climate protection. Next stop: Ratifying the Kigali HFC Phasedown.

Midwest Heat Waves May Cook Crops—and Fry Harvests

September 12, 2022 DispatchMidwestSusan Cosier

Climate change–induced temperature extremes could wilt corn and soybean yields, potentially causing ripples to food supplies across the world.

Unprecedented Rain Highlights Deep Inequities in Centreville

July 28, 2022 Expert BlogIllinoisNatalia Ospina, Meleah Geertsma

Immediate and comprehensive action must be taken by government at all levels to address the flooding and sewage crises.

Canada’s Boreal Forest: Why It’s So Important

July 1, 2022 ExplainerCanada

Protecting the boreal is not only about saving trees and wildlife, says NRDC’s Jennifer Skene. It’s also about the people who’ve been living on the land for millennia and the urgent fight against climate change.

Colorado Legislative Roundup 2022

June 21, 2022 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller, Sam Gilchrist

The 2022 session brought about major victories for our health and environment and big opportunities for us to continue to invest in a clean, healthy and fair Colorado for all.