News & Commentary

Colorado Legislative Roundup: 2024

May 9, 2024 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

This legislative session, Colorado once again solidified its place as a climate leader by taking on new and innovative approaches to reduce emissions and protect the environment.

Colorado Lawmakers Must Approve Landmark Proposal to Fund Public Transit

April 30, 2024 Expert BlogColoradoAlana Miller

SB24-230 offers a tremendous opportunity to fund transit service through a fee on oil and gas production in Colorado—linking a key source of climate and ozone pollution with a key solution.

How Neonics Harm Earthworms

April 18, 2024 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Dr. Daniel Rath, Daniel Raichel, Lucas Rhoads

Neonics harm earthworm growth and reproduction in exchange for uncertain benefits

Reducing Water Loss Requires Upgrading Aging Ag Water Infrastructure

April 5, 2024 Expert BlogCaliforniaArohi Sharma

California’s ag sector will continue to struggle with unsustainable water use until it addresses broader inefficiencies across its aging water delivery system. Upgrades to California’s water delivery system, such as lining canals to reduce seepage, pressurizing water delivery pipes, installing…

Progress in CA on Protecting People and Wildlife from Toxic Neonics

March 14, 2024 Expert BlogCaliforniaLena Freij, Allison Johnson

Just in time for spring, we’re seeing movement in California to curtail harmful and unnecessary uses of neonicotinoid insecticides, or “neonics.” 

Building a More Sustainable, Affordable Colorado with Thoughtful Housing Strategies

February 22, 2024 Expert BlogUnited States, Colorado, DenverAlana Miller

Land use reform proposed by Colorado leaders could deliver a triple victory for climate, air quality, and housing affordability.

Caltrans Offering 1950s-Style False Hope to I-80's Challenges

January 31, 2024 Expert BlogCalifornia, SacramentoCarter Rubin

Caltrans's I-80 CEQA analysis is flawed and reflects a concerning pattern that must change for California to reach our climate, mobility and equity goals.

Overcoming Decarbonization Barriers in Los Angeles’s Affordable Housing

January 11, 2024 Expert BlogUnited States, Los AngelesMichele Knab Hasson, Olivia Walker, Dr. Veena Singla

Affordable housing is among the most vulnerable and underfunded of building sectors but thoughtful design and flexible financing could help provide cleaner, healthier buildings for all.

Food Matters: Year-in-Review

December 18, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Madeline Keating, Darby Hoover, Nina Sevilla, Anya Obrez, Andrea Collins, Yvette Cabrera

Through NRDC's Food Matters initiative, U.S. cities work to prevent food from becoming waste, rescue surplus food, and recycle food scraps. 

Bipartisan Farm Bill Extension Signals Hope for 2024

December 15, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C., United StatesAllison Johnson, Matthew Kaplan, Jeff Slyfield, Jeffrey McManus

The one-year Farm Bill extension ensures short-term continuity, and we look forward to a full 2024 Farm Bill that protects people and the environment

We Need Healthy Farm Ecosystems – Not Harmful Pesticides

December 14, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C., Florida, CaliforniaAllison Johnson

EPA should do more to protect pollinators – and we need to ramp up resources to help farmers build healthy ecosystems themselves.

Food Waste Funding Opportunity: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants

December 6, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Madeline Keating, Andrea Collins

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants can offer key food waste reduction funding and support. 

Farm-to-Glass Supports Organic Farming

November 16, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C., Ohio, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Michigan, Maine, CaliforniaAllison Johnson

Cheers! NRDC and our partners toasted a good cause on Capitol Hill: growing organic!

Groundbreaking California Law Will Create Innovative Pathways for Social Housing

November 16, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaEsther Portillo

The visionary social housing study bill that identifies pathways to 1.4 million stable, affordable homes for California’s most vulnerable residents just became law.

Social Housing: Los Angeles’s Chance to Fight the Housing Crisis

November 13, 2023 Expert BlogLos AngelesSarah Elkotbeid

The climate crisis exacerbates an already worsening housing crunch.

CA’s Transformative Food & Farm Campaign Will Continue in 2024

November 7, 2023 Expert BlogCaliforniaArohi Sharma, Lena Brook

The California Legislature adjourned in September, officially turning the Food & Farm Resilience Coalition's climate bond campaign into a two-year effort. The bill proposes $3.65 billion for infrastructure that would reduce agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions while bringing healthier food options…

New Law Marks Climate Transition for California Landscapes

October 23, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaEd Osann, Linda Escalante

Irrigating ornamental turf grass at non-residential locations will be phased out, beginning in 2027.

Nick Offerman "Face Plants" to Show Benefits of Cover Crops

September 20, 2023 Expert BlogLos AngelesArohi Sharma

Nick Offerman's quirky new video concludes with the tagline, "Don't treat soil like dirt," and is a key part of NRDC's campaign to promote cover crops in the next Farm Bill.

Shifting Federal Funding to Communities: ECJ Program Could Be a Historic Opportunity

September 6, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Chantelle "Ella" Mendonsa

The EPA ECJ program grants directed over $2 billion to marginalized communities to reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to respond to environmental and climate justice challenges.

Washington State Acts on Snake River Restoration

August 30, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, WashingtonGiulia C.S. Good Stefani

If the federal government proposes a pathway to comprehensive Snake River restoration, we will all benefit from the important planning and progress underway in Washington State.