News & Commentary

Orcas in Peril, Part I: An Ocean Empty of Food

February 28, 2019 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalPerrin Ireland

Southern Resident killer whales of the Salish Sea face many challenges, but the threat of death from starvation is especially dire. Thankfully, there's a solution—and we need to help make it happen.

The Crazy Snake Worm Invasion You Haven’t Heard About

February 21, 2019 ExplainerUnited StatesJason Bittel

Earthworms may seem harmless, but they have the power to transform some of America’s forests—and not in a good way.

Less Carbon, More Money

January 18, 2019 ExplainerUnited StatesPerrin Ireland

A recent climate assessment raised red flags about a shrinking economy. But maybe it doesn’t have to play out that way for millennials—we can start demanding with our dollars for a green, just economy.

Holiday Shoppers, the Planet Needs You to Take It Easy With Next-Day Shipping

December 7, 2018 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalJeff Turrentine

Though some online retailers are taking steps to maximize fuel efficiency in their delivery fleets, consumers need to do their part, too.

Who Is David Bernhardt? (And Why Every Environmentalist Should Care.)

November 14, 2018 ExplainerUnited States, Washington, D.C.Jeff Turrentine

The man who’s likely to replace Ryan Zinke as Interior secretary is a seasoned Washington insider—and (surprise!) a former lobbyist for Big Oil and Big Ag.

Cape Cod’s Gray Seal and White Shark Problem Is Not Black-and-White

November 9, 2018 ExplainerUnited States, MassachusettsJason Bittel

After a rare shark bite takes a life, some in this beach region want to go after the seals.

Fuel Efficiency Standards Don’t Just Help Curb Climate Change, They Also Create Jobs

August 28, 2018 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer

So many technological innovations in the automobile industry stem directly from guidelines intended to reduce gas guzzling. If we lose these guidelines, we’ll also lose a lot of our workforce.

Will Shifting to Reusable Straws Really Make a Difference?

August 1, 2018 ExplainerUnited States, International

NRDC’s Eric Goldstein gives the scoop on the latest environmental villain and explains why plastic straws really are a big menace to our oceans.

We Could Do a Lot More to Regulate Fracking

July 18, 2018 ExplainerUnited States

Lax monitoring of the country’s fracking boom does little to allay concerns about the air, water, and health impacts of this oil and gas extraction method.

How Can I Fix Mold and Lead Paint Issues in My House on a Small Budget?

July 9, 2018 ExplainerUnited States, New York City

Both problems pose significant health risks, but many people grappling with them can’t afford major renovations—and can’t move out. NRDC attorney Albert Huang shows us the range of solutions to consider.

How Can I Protect Wildlife in My Community?

June 18, 2018 ExplainerUnited States

NRDC conservation expert Sylvia Fallon offers tips for being a better neighbor to local animals.

Can I Participate in a Class-Action Lawsuit Against Climate Change Inaction?

May 16, 2018 ExplainerUnited States, California

NRDC senior attorney Ben Longstreth explains how plaintiffs for these cases get chosen—and how you can help advance the cause in or out of the courtroom.

Threats to Monarch Butterflies

May 3, 2018 ExplainerMexico, United States, Canada, California

Famous for their elegant colors and transcontinental feats of migration, these beloved pollinators are also in free fall, as habitat loss and heavy use of herbicides jeopardize their future.

If the Government Won’t Act on Climate, Maybe Banks Will

April 25, 2018 ExplainerUnited States, Washington, D.C.Brian Palmer

Gun-control activists want to use financial levers to curtail firearm sales. Can we do the same for carbon emissions?

Who Is Andrew Wheeler? (And Why You Should Be Afraid of Him)

April 13, 2018 ExplainerUnited States, Washington, D.C.Jeff Turrentine

If Scott Pruitt gets booted from his EPA post, his new deputy, a former coal-industry lobbyist, could take his place.

Mosquito and Tick Diseases 101

February 1, 2018 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalMolly M. Ginty

Here's what you need to know about the vector-borne diseases now increasing with climate change—and how to protect yourself.

The Connection Between Mass Incarceration and Environmental Justice

January 19, 2018 ExplainerUnited States, Pennsylvania, KentuckyNicole Greenfield

The country’s prison industry has little regard for where its facilities are located—even if that means building on noxiously polluted ground.

Environmental Advocacy Is a First Amendment Right

October 31, 2017 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Industrial polluters have gone to great lengths to stifle environmental advocacy, but their expansion of censorship laws has finally crossed a line for some federal judges.

The Unassuming Crayfish—and Its Path of Devastation

October 5, 2017 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalJason Bittel

Do not underestimate the signal crayfish. It’s both a keystone species and a merciless invader of foreign streams.

What Is the Clean Power Plan?

September 29, 2017 ExplainerUnited States

In short, it’s the first-ever plan to curb carbon pollution from U.S. power plants. Here’s how it works and why it matters.