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“50 Years is Enough!” That was the theme at this year’s 8th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Climate Change Conference in New Orleans. 50 years of indiscriminate toxic dumping, 50 years of hazardous waste sites in frontline communities, 50 years of land-use decisions that harm communities of color – enough! It’s a searing …

By Erin Murphy and Joe von Fischer New peer-reviewed research reveals neighborhoods with more people of color and lower household income tended to have more gas leaks. Because natural gas is composed primarily of methane, leaks are a source of climate pollution as well as a health and safety hazard and nuisance to nearby communities.

New York is at a crossroads. Our flagship climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, requires significant emissions reductions statewide. This puts every sector of our economy on the hook to deliver and position New York on a path to climate safety. To achieve the CLCPA’s goals, government agencies, communities and the private …

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), CALSTART, NRDC, Sierra Club, South Bronx Unite and WE ACT today filed a petition with the New York Public Service Commission asking the regulator to address the need for zero-emission truck and bus charging infrastructure throughout the state, which is poised to grow rapidly as New York decarbonizes.

In 2022, Climate Corps® is teaming up with ReFED to launch a pilot program to bolster the capacity of companies to tackle food waste. Mali’o Kodis, Project Manager of Partnerships for Climate Corps, sat down with Angel Veza, Senior Manager of Capital, Innovation, and Engagement at ReFED to discuss. MK: So glad to be having …

A new study published today in the journal Environmental Science and Technology reveals that in U.S. cities, natural gas pipeline leaks are more prevalent in neighborhoods whose populations are predominately low-income or people of color.

Statement of EDF Senior Director, Chemical Policy, Maria Doa

A new report published today by Environmental Defense Fund tracks tens of thousands of oil and gas wells and other facilities as they were shifted from publicly traded companies to private ones, and from operators that have climate commitments to those without, documenting dramatic emissions increases that have followed.

Oil and gas companies sell assets for a variety of business reasons, many of which are unrelated to net zero strategy. Regardless of the motivation, asset transfers can have significant climate consequences depending on the characteristics of buyers and sellers.

As Russia's war in Ukraine rages on and gas prices soar, what does it mean for energy security — and for the climate? EDF's Energy Transition head Mark Brownstein explains. 

In this EDF report, we analyze the last five years of oil and gas mergers and acquisitions, tracking where assets moved and how this movement has impacted the planet.

As Russia's war in Ukraine rages on and gas prices soar, what does it mean for energy security — and for the climate? EDF's Energy Transition head Mark Brownstein explains.

Toxic pollution from Suncor oil refinery in Colorado exceeded permitted limits more than 500 times in two years

In a major milestone for environmental justice advocates, the EPA has questioned Colorado state over permits issued to the Suncor oil refinery which has been exceeding toxic pollution limits for years.

Methane leaks from oil and gas sites represents a problem on many fronts. They create harmful air pollution, contribute to global warming and can even cause explosions. They also result in a lot of wasted gas. Colorado and New Mexico — two of the nation’s leading energy producers — recently ramped up their methane pollution …

A new report finds that oil and gas mergers and acquisitions, which may help industry majors execute their energy transition plans, does not help cut global greenhouse gas emissions. EDF analyzed the last five years of oil and gas M&A, tracking where assets moved and how this movement has impacted the planet.

Among food shortages and an escalating hunger crisis, a new problem has arisen: the skyrocketing prices of vegetable oils used in everyday cooking.

Jennifer Ortega, Research Analyst, Environmental Health Environmental racism is everywhere. At the neighborhood level, communities of color often experience worse air quality, fewer green spaces, or face more extreme temperatures. At the household level, families of color and low-income families experience a higher risk of lead in their drinking water and higher utility debt and …

Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer Chemicals and Maricel Maffini, consultant A powerful investigative article by Politico’s Helena Bottemiller Evich revealed significant structural and leadership problems at the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) food program. The article articulated what has been implicitly understood by the food safety community. It led to demands from Congress for Commissioner …

Joanna Slaney, Sr. Director, Federal Affairs; and Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer Chemicals Initiative For the first time in recent memory Congress approved funds for FDA specifically to address food safety from potentially dangerous chemicals that may present health hazards. Now it’s time for the agency to get to work. Congress appropriated $7 million for …

Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer Chemicals Initiative; and Jennifer Ortega, Research Analyst Providence Water, Rhode Island’s largest water utility, has applied for state funds to rehabilitate drinking water mains in its service area. Lead service lines (LSLs) are often attached to the mains and carry drinking water to customer’s homes. The utility has requested a …

Maria Doa, Ph.D., Senior Director, Chemicals Policy  The EPA will release a draft Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessment of formaldehyde, a key scientific review that identifies and characterizes the hazards from chronic exposure to this known carcinogen. The draft assessment, due to be published tomorrow, will be reviewed by the National Academies of Science,

By Eric Schwaab, Rod Fujita and Jacqui Vogel Climate change is already transforming the distribution and abundance of fish stocks around the world. Warming temperatures, lower pH levels and many other factors are causing many fish species to shift to better habitats and others to shrink in abundance. This is problematic for the communities that …

By: Kristin M. Kleisner and Jamie Collins As we embark this year on the United Nations Ocean Decade, you may be hearing quite a bit about blue carbon. But what is it, and why is it so important for the future of our planet?  Well, the oceans play a critical role in trapping carbon, and they …

This post is the fourth in a series dedicated to the future of the electricity sector and new scholarship supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Each post is based on a discussion between select researchers and experts working on relevant policy. To learn more and join one of our upcoming conversations, visit the series website.