News & Commentary

Fossils and Nukes: The Downsides to Congress’ Latest Actions

December 23, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Josh Axelrod, Geoffrey H. Fettus

With the passage of significant energy and climate legislation as part of an end-of-year spending package, Congress cobbled together legislation with both major climate wins (including the phase-down of HFCs) and problematic handouts for the fossil fuel industry and dangerous…

Latin America’s 2020 Climate Leaders and Laggards

December 21, 2020 Expert BlogInternational, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, BrazilAmanda Maxwell, Carolina Herrera, Jessica Carey-Webb, Marilyn Kunce

2020 was a turbulent year in Latin America—and a mixed bag on climate action. It will be important for the incoming Biden-Harris administration to put climate change front and center in its engagement with the region.

Bipartisan States Commit to Clean and Healthy Transportation

December 21, 2020 Expert BlogMassachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Washington, D.C.Bruce Ho

A bipartisan group of Eastern states announce an agreement to modernize transportation.

HFC Phasedown Marks Top Climate Win of 116th Congress

December 20, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.David Doniger, Alex Hillbrand

Year-end omnibus legislation includes a bill to phase down HFC super-pollutants—the biggest action this Congress has taken to meet the climate crisis.

Monarch Butterflies Struggle as Feds Delay Protection

December 15, 2020 Expert BlogMexico, United StatesDr. Sylvia Fallon

In the last six years, many voluntary efforts have been made to help boost monarch populations. Now the butterflies will have to wait even longer to receive more help.

A New York Climate Justice Activist with Roots in the Blue Ridge Mountains

December 11, 2020 DispatchNew York City, Washington, D.C.Carmen Cusido

WE ACT’s director of environmental health and education, Taylor Morton, who found their path to environmental justice work through a childhood spent in nature, wants to help the next generation get outside without fear.

Public Transit Is in Crisis, but Essential to our Recovery

December 8, 2020 Expert BlogNew York City, Washington, D.C., San FranciscoAnn Shikany

Local and national advocates call on Congress to include emergency aid for transit in a relief package before 2020 ends.

EPA Declines to Limit Deadly Soot Air Pollution

December 8, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Emily Davis, John Walke, Dr. Vijay Limaye

On its way out the door, the Trump Administration undermines the Clean Air Act and public health in a profound way.

Pepco Advances Climate Action in DC

December 8, 2020 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Ben Longstreth

Local energy distribution companies like Pepco are critical to helping their customers reduce pollution and save money by supporting energy efficiency measures for their homes and businesses, helping customers switch to electric vehicles, and promoting electric space and water heating.

Setting the EPA Back on Track

November 30, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Gina McCarthy

After 50 years, what does the future of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hold?

House Doubles Down on Pebble Mine

November 25, 2020 Expert BlogWashington, D.C., United StatesTaryn Kiekow Heimer

Leaders of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure requested records about the proposed Pebble Mine to determine whether Pebble executives duped Congress, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the public about the size and scope of the project.

The Federal Reserve’s New Signals on Climate

November 18, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Sarah Dougherty

The Fed, the U.S. central bank, has moved from irregular mentions to a concerted effort to roll out a spate of new ideas and endeavors that highlight the risks of climate change to our financial system.

Biden Plan Promises Better Buildings, for Climate and Equity

November 17, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Khalil Shahyd, Lauren Urbanek

The incoming Biden-Harris administration faces four interlocking crises that must be tackled head-on.

Job for Day 1: Restore & Expand Efficiency Standards Program

November 17, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Kit Kennedy

When President-elect Joe Biden takes office, he’ll lead the United States in a time in which our country faces intertwined crises related to climate change, COVID-19 and its related economic effects, and racial injustice. Ambitious, cross-cutting and well-designed climate action…

In Biden’s Win, a Unifying Call for Bold Action on Climate

November 13, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Gina McCarthy

It’s now time to turn campaign promises into climate progress. Here’s what that looks like.

Mario Molina's Life Understanding, Protecting Our Atmosphere

October 13, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, MexicoDavid Doniger, Amanda Maxwell

Remembering Dr. Mario Molina, winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his 1974 discovery of the mortal threat to the earth’s protective ozone layer from chlorofluorocarbons.

Sustainable Design in NRDC's Washington, D.C. Office

June 23, 2020 Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Maria McCain

Join us on Tuesday, July 14th for a virtual open house at our newly renovated Washington, D.C. office!

He’s Leading D.C.’s Movement for Climate Action—and He’s a High School Senior

January 30, 2020 DispatchWashington, D.C.Karen L. Smith-Janssen

Jerome Foster II is the 17-year-old helming the Fridays for Future strike in Washington, D.C., the founder of the OneMillionOfUs movement to mobilize young voters, and the voice of a generation demanding climate action now.

A Fearless Defender for Our Future

January 6, 2020 NRDC in ActionBoston, Washington, D.C., United StatesJeff Turrentine

President and CEO Gina McCarthy started out as a public health agent in small-town Massachusetts, rose to become head of the EPA under Obama, and now guides NRDC into its next chapter.

Ten Environmental Stories to Mark a Decade in Latin America

December 20, 2019 Expert BlogInternational, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, BrazilAmanda Maxwell, Carolina Herrera, Jessica Carey-Webb, Marilyn Kunce

The Latin America team at NRDC reflects on the incredible environmental milestones we've witnessed in our work, and beyond.