News & Commentary

New York City Remains a Battleground for Illegal Ivory Trade

August 31, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkIsabel Friedman, Rich Schrader

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announces new exhibit of confiscated ivory at the New York State Museum that educates the public about the harmful industry.

Joan K. Davidson: An Appreciation

August 25, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkEric A. Goldstein

The longtime head of the J.M. Kaplan Fund was a visionary supporter of civic-minded advocates and a spark plug for creative environmental progress.

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.

New York City: Replace Lead Drinking Water Pipes

July 18, 2023 Expert BlogNew York City, United StatesJoan Leary Matthews

One in five New Yorkers may be drinking lead-contaminated water. The New York City Council needs to replace all lead pipes within 10 years, at no cost to residents.

Climate Justice on Juneteenth

June 16, 2023 Expert BlogNew York CityIrene Nielson, Dr. Sabrina Johnson

Honoring Juneteenth requires us to apply commitment and creativity to directing today's unprecedented federal investments toward repairing past harms.

Landmark Neonic Bill Headed to Governor Hochul’s Desk

June 14, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkDaniel Raichel

The New York legislature passed a first-in-the-nation bill to dramatically curb the pesticides that decimate pollinators and threaten New Yorkers’ health.

Major NYC Environmental Advance: City Council to Pass Universal Organics Collection Law

June 7, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New York CityEric A. Goldstein

New York City Council is poised to pass a law that would mandate organics collection.

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.

A Blueprint for Advanced Industrial Manufacturing in New York

May 23, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkIan Wells

New York can lead the nation in low-carbon industrial manufacturing. Here is how.

New Buildings in NY to Be Electric, but the Job Is Not Done

May 22, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkLauren Urbanek

New York's All-Electric Building Act makes it the first state to promote efficient electrification of new construction.

New York Governments Collaborate to Tackle Environmental Injustice

May 22, 2023 Expert BlogMount Vernon, New YorkSahana Rao

A three-way partnership between the City of Mount Vernon, Westchester County, and the State of New York makes headway towards correcting the city's sewer crisis

NY Bills to Ban Harmful PFAS Chemicals & Protect Our Health

May 12, 2023 Expert BlogAlbanyKate Donovan

New York shows promise to ban toxic PFAS chemicals from consumer products to protect communities.

Army Corps' NY/NJ Storm Surge Barrier Project Must Protect Communities on Their Terms

April 17, 2023 Expert BlogNew York City, New Jersey, New YorkSahana Rao, Isabel Friedman, Anna Weber

The U.S. Army Corps' latest storm surge barrier proposal for New York and New Jersey is still missing meaningful community participation and a comprehensive approach to climate adaptation.

A Trojan Horse That Would Subvert Climate Justice in New York

April 5, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkChristopher Casey

Senate Bill S6030 is a greenhouse gas accounting boondoggle.

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. 

To Lead on Climate, New York State Should Aim High on Clean Industry

March 21, 2023 Expert BlogUnited States, New YorkIan Wells

The federal government is rolling out programs to support deployment of emerging technologies that can dramatically reduce emissions from industrial manufacturing. New York should seize the opportunity to clean up its industrial base, attract new industrial investment, and become a…

Proposed Highway Expansion Will Undercut New York Landmark Climate Law

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkMark Izeman, Isabel Friedman

A state proposal to spend $1 billion to expand a 47-mile stretch of Route 17 in Orange and Sullivan Counties runs counter to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

In War on Plastic Waste, New York City Council Strikes a Blow

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogNew York, New York CityEric A. Goldstein

New legislation will prevent large volumes of mostly plastic, unrecyclable waste from being generated by take-out food orders in the nation’s largest city.

Will New York Squander Its Opportunity for a Just Transition?

February 15, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkChristopher Casey

New York’s clean energy transition is threatened by state laws that perpetuate, promote, and subsidize fossil gas use.

New Yorkers Highlight Opportunities to Grow SNAP Incentives

February 14, 2023 Expert BlogNew YorkSahana Rao, Margaret Brown, Sara Imperiale

SNAP incentives play an essential role in addressing challenges around fresh, healthy food affordability and access, provide much needed markets for local farmers, and drive local economic development.