News & Commentary

Pebble Mine’s ESG Report: Destructive, Desperate, and Doomed

April 30, 2021 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

Hoping to greenwash reckless Bristol Bay mine as environmentally and socially responsible, Canadian owner Northern Dynasty Minerals’ report fools no one.

Crisis to Opportunity: China Moves Fast to Protect Wildlife

April 21, 2021 Expert BlogChinaNing (Lisa) Hua

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, China accelerated the pace of wildlife protection over the last year, which included the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopting a decision to ban the trade of wildlife as food and to…

Alaska Natives Lead a Unified Resistance to the Pebble Mine

April 20, 2021 DispatchAlaskaNicole Greenfield

The effort to stop a massive mine project in Bristol Bay, Alaska, has been a decades-long fight for the region’s Indigenous People. Five tribal leaders share their experiences.

Investors Say No to Pebble Mine, Yes to Bristol Bay—Again

April 7, 2021 Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

Fifty investment firms representing over $105 billion sent a letter to EPA and Congress urging permanent protection of Alaska's Bristol Bay from the proposed Pebble Mine.

Chicago, a “Sweet Home” for an Endangered Bee?

March 29, 2021 Expert BlogChicago, IllinoisDaniel Raichel

The rusty patched bumblebee's appearance in Chicago underscores how one patch of native habitat can be meaningful, but what’s most needed is a network of interconnected habitat so that the bee’s populations can recover and once again thrive.

Bristol Bay Salmon: A “Vitally Important Economic Engine”

March 18, 2021 Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

A new report quantified the economic benefits of Bristol Bay’s wild salmon, which generate $2.2 billion in value, support 15,000 American jobs, and supply 57 percent of the world’s sockeye salmon. Bristol Bay’s wild salmon are also the lifeblood of…

Pebble Mine: Investors Beware

March 9, 2021 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

After denial of federal permit, Canadian owner of embattled Bristol Bay mining scheme doubles down on assurances to potential investors, ignoring intensifying support of demand by Alaskans for permanent protection of Bristol Bay fishery.

UPDATED: Science, Polling Support NY Bill to Save Bees

March 3, 2021 Expert BlogNew YorkDaniel Raichel

Senator Brad Hoylman introduced new language today for the Birds and Bees Protection Act, a bill that would make the state a national leader in safeguarding its bees, birds, water, and people from widespread neonicotinoid pesticide contamination.

Bristol Bay Tribes Target Pebble Mine in New Ad

February 24, 2021 Expert BlogAlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

United Tribes of Bristol Bay ran a full-page ad today in Politico urging President Biden to stop the Pebble Mine and protect Bristol Bay.

The Big Muddy River’s Long, Turbulent Relationship with Coal

August 14, 2020 DispatchIllinoisSusan Cosier

As a proposal threatens to dump mining waste into a Mississippi River tributary, an Illinois community reassesses its coal industry ties.

Pebble Mine: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

August 4, 2020 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

Following Army Corps of Engineers’ release of Pebble’s flawed final environmental impact statement, opposition digs in, Alaskan coalition urges EPA veto, House votes to cut off funding for permitting, Senators Manchin and Cantwell speak out, and Northern Dynasty’s share value…

Report Finds Neonics Pose Big Risks to Bees as Losses Mount

June 25, 2020 Expert BlogNew York, United StatesDaniel Raichel

Summertime is normally a great time for bees, but last summer saw record bee losses. A new report from Cornell may shed light on why.

Take Action to Protect Bees During National Pollinator Week

June 22, 2020 Expert BlogNew York, New JerseyDaniel Raichel, Lucas Rhoads

This Pollinator week, let’s heed the science and skip the fluff. Here’s how you can take action now to protect pollinators and human health.

These NRDC Experts Show Us How We Can Slow the Spread of Zoonotic Diseases

May 14, 2020 NRDC in ActionChina, United StatesCourtney Lindwall

It will take the highest levels of international cooperation, but by working to curb wildlife trade and conserve vast swaths of disappearing habitat, we can minimize the interspecies interactions that spread viruses.

These Prehistoric Fish Are Making a Slow Comeback in the Midwest

January 23, 2020 DispatchWisconsin, MichiganSusan Cosier

Conservationists, fishers, and fans of the iconic lake sturgeon have seen some success in their efforts to revive the population, including through hand-rearing and releasing the babies—and yes, spearing the big ones.

Pebble Mine: Conservation Groups Sue Trump Administration

October 9, 2019 Expert BlogUnited States, AlaskaTaryn Kiekow Heimer

Trump administration violated the law by reversing proposed protections for Bristol Bay, Alaska.

A Lot to Lose: Images from the Vulnerable Arctic Refuge

September 6, 2019 Expert BlogArcticGarett Rose

Oil drilling would harm the Arctic Refuge's beautiful landscapes and wildlife.

Pebble Mine: An Open Letter to CEO, Wheaton Precious Metals

August 27, 2019 Expert BlogAlaskaJoel Reynolds

Bristol Bay coalition dismisses Governor’s claim of outside influence in Pebble Mine opposition, calling claim “demonstrably false” and “insulting to Alaskans,” vowing “we will never relent.”

That Summer When Climate Change Baked Alaska

August 9, 2019 DispatchAlaskaJeff Turrentine

An Anchorage-based wildlife biologist describes what life is like in our northernmost state—one that’s been dramatically altered by rising temperatures.

Giant Wooden Birds Are Flocking to Broadway

August 2, 2019 PerspectivesNew York CityCourtney Lindwall

Nicolas Holiber’s reclaimed-wood sculptures highlight the threat of climate change to avian city-dwellers.