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Meet the activists and NRDC staff propelling change, read our expert analysis, and learn about the latest challenges and solutions to advancing a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world.

Aerial view of the National Petroleum Reserve in northwestern Alaska

The Biden Administration Protects Millions of Acres of Arctic Alaska

April 19, 2024 Latest NewsAlaskaJenny Shalant

The new Special Areas Rule in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska could boost biodiversity and empower Indigenous Peoples to defend the lands they’ve relied on for generations.

Two adults and a child walk along a sandy shoreline

“Forever Chemicals” Called PFAS Show Up in Your Food, Clothes, and Home

April 10, 2024 ExplainerUnited StatesMolly M. Ginty, Courtney Lindwall

These toxic chemicals are so common in consumer products and manufacturing that they’re everywhere—including inside our bodies.

A river with green trees on either side, with yellow hills in the background

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.

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Reflections on the First Earth Day and What’s Ahead for New York

April 21, 2020 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader

On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, NRDC's New York Political Director reflects on attending the first Earth Day event in New York City in 1970, and far the city has come thanks to New York's leadership on climate.

What Does the Plastic Bag Ban Mean for New Yorkers?

February 27, 2020 ExplainerNew York, United StatesCourtney Lindwall

Here’s everything you need to know before plastic carryout bags disappear from the Empire State on March 1.

NYC’s New Plan Would Let Massive Sewage Overflows Continue

February 24, 2020 Expert BlogNew York, New York CityLarry Levine

Almost every time it rains in New York City, raw sewage, pet waste, trash, and polluted runoff flow into waterways where people swim, fish, row, kayak, and boat.

One City’s Trash Is This Museum’s Treasure

December 18, 2019 PerspectivesNew York CityClara Chaisson

A collection of 45,000 items gleaned from New Yorkers’ garbage sends a powerful message about our consumption habits.

How to Win Parks and Influence People, NYC Edition

August 16, 2019 DispatchNew York CityJeff Turrentine

In Manhattan, green-space advocates realized their dream of building Chelsea Green, a new community park, by becoming affordable-housing advocates, too.

Food Service Companies Must Act Following New Climate Report

August 8, 2019 Expert BlogInternational, United States, New York, New York City, CaliforniaSujatha Bergen

A new report released by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change today is the third in six months from the world’s leading experts to show that rising to the challenge of the climate crisis will require not only…

2019: A Banner Year for the Environment in NYS

July 18, 2019 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader, Jhena Vigrass

NRDC and our regional partners secured a broad array of environmental victories—from a statewide ban on plastic bags in grocery and retail stores to a far-reaching food waste recycling law to the most ambitious state climate law in the nation.

New York City Students Are Taking On Climate Change, Starting in the Lunchroom

June 24, 2019 DispatchNew York CityJessica Rodriguez

This fall, a Meatless Mondays initiative will go into effect across all 1,800 NYC public schools.

Justice Warrior on the Affordable Energy Front

June 12, 2019 NRDC in ActionVirginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New YorkKaren L. Smith-Janssen

Dawone Robinson is righting the inequities that low-income communities of color face in accessing the benefits of energy efficiency—like more comfortable homes and lower energy bills, for starters.

Finally, a Farewell to Foam Coffee Cups and Clamshells in NYC

October 18, 2018 Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein

A New York State appeals court has affirmed a lower court ruling, upholding New York City’s ban on polystyrene food and beverage containers and delivering a victory to all who care about reducing street litter and waterway pollution in the…

New York City Is Finally Cleaning Up Its Commercial Garbage Industry

October 17, 2018 DispatchNew York CityNicole Greenfield

A new waste equity law aims to remedy a decades-long injustice that has turned certain outer-borough neighborhoods into de facto dumping grounds.

Linking Upstate New York Fields and South Bronx Kitchens

March 23, 2018 DispatchNew York, New York CityJenny Shalant

Dennis Derryck, the founder of Corbin Hill Food Project, is on a mission to diversify the farm-share model—and to deliver more callaloo.

Spinning Records Without the Vinyl

December 19, 2017 DispatchNew York CityMelissa Denchak

Jazz pianist Fabian Almazan started Biophilia Records to make great music—and environmental change.

City Council to NYC Mayor: Clean Up Our Waters!

December 15, 2017 Expert BlogNew York CityLarry Levine

When It Rains, It Pours Raw Sewage into New York City’s Waterways

December 12, 2017 DispatchNew York CityClara Chaisson

The Big Apple’s combined sewer system is 150 years old—and in desperate need of improvement.

Farms on the Fringe: New Takes on America’s Farming Tradition

August 1, 2017 DispatchCalifornia, Colorado, Iowa, New York, Kentucky, New MexicoTracie McMillan

These six farmers have found innovative ways to grow plants in today’s climate, whether in corn country or coal country, with fish tanks or smartphones.

The Concrete Farmer

April 11, 2017 DispatchNew York CityMelissa Denchak

A farmer’s daughter turned marketing exec tries something in-between: community gardening—where the business of “knowing your audience” applies just as well.