News & Commentary

NRDC’s 2024 Legislative Agenda for a Healthy and Equitable Environment in New York

March 4, 2024 Expert BlogNew York, New YorkRich Schrader, Timothy Edland

The end of 2023 brought huge wins for New York and its environment. Here are our priorities for 2024.

Climate Week 2023: Indigenous Communities March with Determination

December 12, 2023 Expert BlogNew York CityClaudia Blanco Nuñez

The fight against environmental harm, economic dependence, and negative health impacts from fossil fuel development on Indigenous land is a centuries-long tale.

How Neonics Can Harm Soil Health and Soil Biodiversity

December 5, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkDr. Daniel Rath, Daniel Raichel

This World Soil Day, let's acknowledge the effects that neonic pesticides can have on soil health and biodiversity, and the farms that depend on them.

Leaders Call for Forest Accountability in Climate Week Event

September 22, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkJennifer Skene

Leading voices call for global accountability on protecting the world's climate-critical forests in NRDC's Climate Week panel event. 

NYC’s New Pizza Oven Rule Will Protect Neighborhood Air Quality

July 31, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New York CityEric A. Goldstein

The law will target the emissions and other air pollution that come through people’s windows from nearby pizza restaurants.

RGGI States Learning and Sharing On Climate and Equity

June 6, 2023 Expert BlogEast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, VirginiaJackson Morris

A new report finds that the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative delivers on jobs, emissions reduction, and economic benefits—and provides a framework to address equity in the future.

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?

Public Land Grab: Senate Bill Gifts Miners Pass to Pollute

April 28, 2023 Expert BlogWest, Nevada, Idaho, United StatesJosh Axelrod

Senators Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) and Jim Risch (R-ID) have introduced legislation that makes it easier for mining companies and others to acquire rights to federal land and to be able to use them as dumping grounds and worse. The legislation…

Clean Cars Can Bring Over $145 Billion in Benefits to New York

April 3, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkYeh-Tang Huang

A new study shows that the Advanced Clean Cars rule can bring over $145 billion in benefits to New York. 

New York Is Exposing the Fashion Industry for What It Is: a Climate Nightmare

February 13, 2023 DispatchNew York, New York City, InternationalNicole Greenfield

The state’s Fashion Act seeks to set a new trend of holding big brands accountable for their exploitation of workers and the environment.

Six Colorado Basin States Lay Down a Marker for California

January 31, 2023 Expert BlogArizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, WestEd Osann

The "Consensus Based Modeling Alternative" is a positive development in addressing the current water emergency. It’s unfortunate that California did not join in this recommendation.

Defense Bill Compromise for Northern Nevada Lands and Tribes

January 4, 2023 Expert BlogNevadaBobby McEnaney, Katie Hobbs

This year's annual defense bill contained an expansion of the Fallon Naval Air Station in northern Nevada—a compromise that strives to resolve complex land use issues and protect the environment.

Electrify to Fight Crazy Fuel Prices and Climate Change

December 22, 2022 Expert BlogNew YorkYeh-Tang Huang, Samantha Wilt

New Yorkers should electrify their homes and cars this winter to fight crazy fuel prices, climate change, and air pollution.

Time for Governor Hochul to Sign the Lawn Mower Rebate Bill

December 20, 2022 Expert BlogNew YorkRich Schrader

This bill will create a rebate program for residents and companies changing from gasoline-driven mowers and leaf blowers to electric-battery driven ones.

The Global North’s Myth Making Threatens COP27 Forest Pledge

November 8, 2022 Expert BlogCanada, United States, New YorkJennifer Skene

Gearing Up for an Even Bigger Climate Fight in New York

July 14, 2022 Expert BlogNew YorkMarisa Guerrero, Rich Schrader

NRDC is preparing for the New York State legislative session in 2023, where we'll fight hard alongside our allies and partners for important bills that will protect our state and our planet from the worst effects of climate change.

Mount Vernon: Where Environmental Injustice Became a Sewage Nightmare

June 27, 2022 NRDC in ActionNew YorkNicole Greenfield

For decades, residents of this majority-Black suburb of New York City have been dealing with a noxious infrastructure crisis with little recourse. Finally, they’re getting some relief.

Canada Fighting a Rising Tide of Support for NY Forest Bill

May 31, 2022 Expert BlogCanada, New YorkJennifer Skene

Canada’s stunning display of hypocrisy and doublespeak spotlights the discordance at the heart of its forest and climate policy.

Bitcoin Mining Is Bad for the Climate—and Local Communities Too

April 27, 2022 DispatchNew YorkNicole Greenfield

Upstate New York’s defunct power plants have become a hot spot for cryptocurrency operations, and Finger Lakes residents say they’re just another blight.

EPA: It’s Time to Act. We need Clean Trucks Now

March 3, 2022 Expert BlogUnited States, California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, WashingtonPatricio Portillo, Heather Kryczka

Cutting tailpipe emissions and moving to zero emission vehicles can eliminate the diesel fumes causing childhood asthma, emergency room visits, and loss of life.