News & Commentary

Meet the Waste Watcher

August 13, 2015 NRDC in ActionNew York City, United StatesSarah Engler

NRDC scientist Dana Gunders has written the book on the mounting problem of food waste.

The Story of Silent Spring

August 13, 2015 ExplainerUnited States

How a courageous woman took on the chemical industry and raised important questions about humankind's impact on nature.

Connecting Communities

August 13, 2015 NRDC in ActionLos Angeles, California

Shelley Poticha, director of NRDC’s Urban Solutions program, discusses building a better future where we live.

A Dirty Battle in Chicago's Backyards

August 13, 2015 NRDC in ActionChicago, Illinois, IndianaNicole Greenfield

Residents of the Windy City are fighting the tar sands industry from spreading its toxic petcoke around town.

Driving Force

August 13, 2015 NRDC in ActionCaliforniaJeff Turrentine

In the race to promote fuel efficiency and lower vehicle pollution, Roland Hwang is firmly in the lead.

More for Less

August 13, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Understand energy efficiency, and you’ll understand how the Clean Power Plan works.

The Farmer Who Weeded Out Chemicals

August 12, 2015 DispatchCaliforniaLaura Fraser

Organic farmer Jim Cochran proves that growing nontoxic strawberries isn’t just possible, it’s profitable.

Killing KXL

August 12, 2015 NRDC in ActionCanada, Nebraska, Washington, D.C., United States

How an unlikely coalition of environmental activists stopped the destructive tar sands oil pipeline.

Up (and Down) a Creek

August 11, 2015 Latest NewsColoradoClara Chaisson

Here’s what you need to know about the EPA spilling three million gallons of wastewater into a Colorado river.

Will the Clean Power Plan Make Any Difference?

August 10, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Uh, yeah.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (from Distant Flames)

August 7, 2015 ExplainerUnited States, Colorado, Alaska, CaliforniaAlisa Opar

Wildfires may be harming the health of people who live hundreds or thousands of miles from the flames.

Want to Collect Some Whale Snot?

August 7, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Here’s your chance to contribute to an exciting—albeit slightly gross—new form of whale research.

Wildfires are taking the frost out of permafrost

August 7, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesPerrin Ireland

A weekly roundup of the best in science journalism, doodled.

Thanks, Chevron?

August 5, 2015 ExplainerUnited States, Washington, D.C.Brian Palmer

How a 1984 Supreme Court ruling for Big Oil could help Obama’s new plan to fight climate change.

Killer Snails vs. River Prawns

August 3, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesJason Bittel

Restoring an ecosystem may protect millions of people from a deadly (yet neglected) tropical disease.

Cracking an Otter Mystery

July 31, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesPerrin Ireland

Otters may be able to tell us a lot about tool-using cultures in animals—but they’re not making it easy for us.

This Plant Defends Its Sexual Organs with an Army of the Dead

July 30, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesPerrin Ireland

A weekly roundup of the best in science journalism, doodled.

Are Dark Alleys Really More Dangerous?

July 30, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

A new study says we can dim our streetlights and save energy without increasing crime.

When Are We Going Underwater?

July 29, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Renowned scientist James Hansen says sea level is rising faster than expected—but did his study’s publication violate scientific norms?

The Old College Try

July 28, 2015 PerspectivesUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

Students are pushing their schools to divest from fossil-fuel companies. Administrations are pushing back. History tells us who will win.