News & Commentary

Six of the Worst States to Be a Wolf

May 17, 2021 Expert BlogIdaho, Utah, Montana, Wisconsin, South Dakota, WyomingDr. Jennifer Sherry

To get on a better track towards national recovery, wolves will need proactive and science-driven action by the federal government.

Idaho Legislature Defies Experts in Mad Dash to Kill Wolves

April 27, 2021 Expert BlogIdahoDr. Jennifer Sherry

The Idaho Legislature is fast tracking a bill to kill up to 90% of Idaho's wolves based on misinformed political rhetoric.

MISO and SPP Can Benefit from a More Connected Grid

March 3, 2021 Expert BlogTexas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kansas, MissouriToba Pearlman

Electric grids across the Midwest, South, and in Texas failed a key resilience test during last month’s winter storm, and one key conclusion is clear: The grids connected via transmission lines fared significantly better than those isolated and on their…

"We Are the Same as the Salmon": A Story of Suffering and Perseverance

December 17, 2020 DispatchWyoming, Idaho, Oregon, WashingtonNicole Greenfield

Thirty years ago, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes led the effort to save Snake River sockeye salmon from extinction. Today, they’re still fighting for the fish’s survival—along with their own.

Trump's Eleventh Hour Attacks on America's Natural Treasures

December 14, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Utah, Alaska, Minnesota, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada, New MexicoSharon Buccino

In his final days, President Trump is selling our public lands and waters to the highest bidder to dig, drill and mine.

Lancet: What’s Needed to Protect Health from Climate & COVID

December 3, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, LouisianaJuanita Constible

We need a holistic response to protect our health from the collision of climate change, COVID-19, and racial injustice.

Katrina, Climate, and Justice: A Future in Foreshadow?

August 28, 2020 PerspectivesNew Orleans, LouisianaZaria Howell

After Hurricane Laura hit Louisiana just days before the Katrina remembrance, photojournalism from 15 years ago reminds us that disaster preparation isn’t just about wind and water.

Defender of Housing Justice

August 25, 2020 NRDC in ActionNew Orleans, United States, LouisianaJenny Shalant

Energy efficiency and social safety net advocate Khalil Shahyd explains why supporting affordable housing is intrinsic to the climate fight.

Connector of the Gulf South, 15 Years and Counting

August 24, 2020 DispatchNew Orleans, LouisianaKaren L. Smith-Janssen

Colette Pichon Battle is getting the conversation going—and the preparations moving—for Black and Indigenous communities of Louisiana who are still healing from Hurricane Katrina, even as they stand on the frontlines of climate change.

As Sea Level Rise Threatens Their Ancestral Village, a Louisiana Tribe Fights to Stay Put

April 13, 2020 DispatchLouisianaBarry Yeoman

They survived the BP oil disaster, Hurricane Katrina, and decades of industry spoiling their wetlands. Whatever their future holds, the people of Grand Bayou want to decide it for themselves.

The Mother Who Became a Voice for the Gulf

April 6, 2020 DispatchLouisianaNicole Greenfield

After the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Kindra Arnesen went to the mat to help heal and protect her southeastern Louisiana community and the fishery it relies on. Ten years later, she’s still fighting.

The People of the Isle de Jean Charles Are Louisiana’s First Climate Refugees—but They Won’t Be the Last

September 23, 2019 DispatchLouisianaRobynne Boyd

Whether and how to uproot communities are difficult and painful questions, and we need to get better at answering them.

General Electric’s Coal Plant Profiteering Needs to End Now

September 9, 2019 Expert BlogInternational, AfricaHan Chen

The U.S.-based giant General Electric (GE), wants to carry on quietly with business activities that seriously endanger millions of people and the planet.

Victory for Imperiled Species at World Wildlife Conference

August 29, 2019 Expert BlogInternational, AfricaZak Smith

African elephants, Asian otters, giraffes, vaquita, rhinos, and sharks win big at World Wildlife Conference.

Giraffes Win International Protections to Limit Their Trade

August 22, 2019 Expert BlogInternational, AfricaElly Pepper

The protections will ensure that all giraffe parts trade were legally acquired instead of from poached giraffes trade by requiring countries to make non-detriment findings before allowing giraffe exports.

Will CITES Parties Stick Necks Out for Giraffes at CoP18?

August 6, 2019 Expert BlogAfrica, InternationalElly Pepper

Giraffes receive little international protection even though they face many threats, including habitat loss, disease, international trade in giraffe parts, and hunting trophies.

It’s Groundhog Day for Rhinos at CITES CoP18

August 6, 2019 Expert BlogAfrica, InternationalElly Pepper

At the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which takes place August 17-28, the Parties will again vote on whether to legalize the international commercial…

Will CITES CoP18 Help or Hurt Already Struggling Elephants?

August 5, 2019 Expert BlogAfricaElly Pepper

Unfortunately, some countries still fight to resume the ivory trade at almost every CITES meeting and this one is no exception. 

The Natural Gas Industry Has a Methane Problem

June 7, 2019 ExplainerUnited States, LouisianaJeff Turrentine

Oil and gas operations leak this potent greenhouse gas far more than previously thought, and (par for the course) the Trump administration is making the situation worse.

The IPCC Report Isn’t a Death Knell. It’s a Wake-Up Call.

October 22, 2018 Expert BlogWyomingRoland Hwang

We have the ideas—and the means—for reducing emissions and lowering temperatures at our disposal. We just need to act on them.