News & Commentary

The Proposed Colorado River Deal: A Short-Term Band-Aid for a Long-Term Problem

May 23, 2023 Expert BlogWest, California, Arizona, Nevada, MexicoDr. Mark Gold

The Colorado River conservation proposal from Arizona, California, and Nevada reduces diversions by 1 million acre feet a year. Is this enough to make river management sustainable?

A Climate Strategy for India Scales Up

May 22, 2023 NRDC in ActionIndiaJeff Turrentine

With the formation of its affiliate in New Delhi, NRDC rises to meet the sustainability challenges of the world's fastest-growing economy.

California ISO Approves $7.3 Billion Investment in Transmission

May 22, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaKelsie Gomanie, Peter Miller

Ambitious investment to boost transmission in support of clean energy is approved by the California Independent System Operator.

Shared Knowledge Is Power in the Northern Mariana Islands

May 22, 2023 DispatchInternationalShelia Hu

As Indigenous groups seek to comanage the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, elders help the next generation find opportunity on the islands in science and conservation. 

COVER Act Will Modernize Crop Insurance

May 18, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lara Bryant

The COVER Act, led by Senator Brown (D-OH) and Representative Sean Casten (D-IL), is a bipartisan bill that offers farmers a $5 per acre good stewardship discount on crop insurance if they plant cover crops to improve their soil health.

FERC Takes Important Steps to Improve Siting of Transmission Lines

May 18, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesChristy Walsh

There is an urgent need to quickly build large-scale transmission projects. Federal backstop siting authority is one tool to get it done.

There Is No Infrastructure Week Without Healthy Workers

May 18, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesJuanita Constible

The workers building our clean energy economy need strong, enforceable heat standards without delay. 

House Agriculture Approps Bill Would Gut Key Farm Programs

May 17, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, PennsylvaniaAllison Johnson, Matthew Kaplan, Jeff Slyfield

Congress should go back to the drawing board and build a budget that supports a healthy food system, conservation, and rural energy

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…

Newly released Food Waste Reduction State Model Policy Toolkit

May 17, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAndrea Collins

Zero Food Waste Coalition toolkit outlines the gold standard for state policy to reduce food loss and waste, including model language for a dozen policies.

EPA: Neonics Likely Driving 200+ Species Toward Extinction

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Lucas Rhoads

U.S. EPA's unprecedented findings confirm that widespread neonic pesticide use threatens critical pollinators, other wildlife, and whole ecosystems. 

The Farm Bill Needs Opportunities in Organic

May 11, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, Vermont, CaliforniaAllison Johnson

The Opportunities in Organic Act will put organic in reach for more producers and consumers.

Expiring Confusion About Food Date Labels

May 9, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAndrea Collins

The Food Date Labeling Act would standardize date labels on food packaging and reduce confusion about their meanings which is a leading cause of food waste.

NWF Poll: 78% of Farmers Support Crop Insurance Incentives for Cover Crops

May 4, 2023 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Dr. Daniel Rath, Claire O'Connor, Lara Bryant

NRDC Pathways Report: Nature-Based Solutions Vital to Meeting Climate Goals

May 3, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesDr. Daniel Rath, Niel Lawrence, Claire O'Connor, Garett Rose

Climate hope remains alive, and the NRDC Pathways Report identifies ways forward for natural climate solutions.

How Integrated Funding at DOE Can Spur Climate Innovation

May 3, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesJess Moo Young

With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the DOE has the opportunity to improve coordination and rethink its approach to funding.

Under “Food Apartheid,” Urban Farms Are More Important Than Ever

April 28, 2023 DispatchUnited States, Indiana, IndianapolisJeff Turrentine

But BIPOC urban farmers continue to face unique challenges—including inequitable access to land and loans.

Zero Food Waste Coalition to Accelerate Policy Action

April 26, 2023 Expert BlogUnited StatesAndrea Collins, Yvette Cabrera, Nina Sevilla

The Zero Food Waste Coalition has formed to accelerate action to meet our national goal to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.   

U.S. Delivers for the Green Climate Fund and the World’s Most Vulnerable

April 20, 2023 Expert BlogInternational, United StatesJoe Thwaites, Brendan Guy

After a six-year hiatus, President Biden announced the United States is resuming its contributions to the Green Climate Fund with a new allocation of $1 billion.

California’s Climate Whiplash

April 17, 2023 ExplainerCaliforniaNicole Greenfield

The state broke snowfall records after three of its driest years ever. Now floods wreak havoc. These swings are the new normal—and they’re very hard to manage.