News & Commentary

Drinking In the Heavy Metal

February 8, 2016 DispatchFlint, MichiganSusan Cosier

Thanks to the Flint water crisis, the city’s kids could experience terrible, long-lasting consequences from lead exposure.

Apocalypse Soon

February 4, 2016 PerspectivesUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

In the budding cli-fi genre, dystopian settings can be real-life motivators.

Spring Break

February 4, 2016 DispatchMontanaAlisa Opar

Bison go from seasonal outlaws to year-round residents in a large swath of Montana.

So You Want a Pet Squirrel Monkey . . .

February 3, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesJason Bittel

Squirrel monkeys must contend with habitat loss, decreasing genetic diversity, and the curse of being cute.

Of Monkeys, Men, and Protozoans

January 28, 2016 Latest NewsInternationalJason Bittel

A recent study finds a link between deforestation and risk of monkey-transmitted malaria.

The Stealthy Energy Saver

January 28, 2016 NRDC in ActionUnited StatesSarah Schmidt

Noah Horowitz obsesses over the imperceptible ways your television, computer, light bulbs, and dryer are wasting electricity—so you don’t have to.

Raising the High-Water Mark

January 27, 2016 DispatchMidwestClara Chaisson

In the Midwest, “rare” floods are becoming the norm. Here’s why it’s high time we improve our flood risk estimates.

Watered Down

January 26, 2016 Latest NewsFlintBrian Palmer

Flint made many mistakes, but its haphazard lead monitoring system was the worst of them.

As India Goes, So Goes Civilization

January 22, 2016 Latest NewsIndiaBrian Palmer

How India builds its energy grid could decide the fate of humanity. Maybe we should help the country out.

What’s In Your Pajamas?

January 21, 2016 PerspectivesUnited StatesRocky Kistner

A new film follows a father on his quest to uncover the industrial chemicals his daughters encounter via everyday products.

2015 Was the Hottest Year on…zzzz

January 20, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Heat records are no longer newsworthy. Uh-oh.

The Woman Who Loves Orcas

January 20, 2016 DispatchAlaska, WestTed Genoways

Scientist, poet, and cancer survivor Eva Saulitis says that orcas saved her life. If only she could return the favor.

The Public Transit Paradox

January 19, 2016 ExplainerUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

Gas is crazy cheap. Car sales are through the roof. So why isn’t taxpayer support for mass transit tanking?

The Battle for Jamaica Bay

January 19, 2016 NRDC in ActionNew York City, New YorkNicole Greenfield

Pollution was killing one of New York City’s greatest natural treasures—until NRDC stepped in.

Cooling India Without Making a Hot Mess

January 19, 2016 ExplainerIndia, InternationalVaishnavi Chanrashekhar

As the country's economy improves—and temperatures rise—tens of millions of people are installing air conditioners. That spells trouble for climate change.

Toxin Avenger

January 18, 2016 DispatchUnited StatesSarah Engler

By following hundreds of children from the womb through adolescence, Dr. Frederica Perera has become a public-health superhero.

Growing Green Awards

January 18, 2016 DispatchUnited StatesMelissa Denchak

Celebrating America’s most influential leaders in the sustainable food movement

The Fight Against Flame Retardants

January 18, 2016 NRDC in ActionCaliforniaAlexandra Zissu

Thanks to a long-overdue regulatory update and a new labeling law, shoppers can finally find safer furniture.

It’s the End of the Beginning of the End for U.S. Coal

January 15, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

The government has just suspended new coal leases on federal land. The coal industry may never recover.

Il Primo Piatto

January 14, 2016 DispatchAfricaClara Chaisson

As the bushmeat trade drives the Bioko drill monkey toward extinction, some West Africans are realizing these animals are worth more in the woods than on the plate.