Science Office
Credit:
Alexandra Bowman for NRDC
Science Office in Action
NRDC’s Science Office aims to drive, shape, and support our ability to protect public health, preserve wild spaces, build a strong environmental movement, and advance social justice. Our goal is to bridge the gap between science and the people, wildlife, and ecosystems it serves.
The Science Office is a home base to innovate, evaluate, communicate, and connect in fulfilling the goal of science, which is to better explore and understand our world. We aim to harness science as a tool to support a greater environmental movement that centers communities most harmed by environmental and climate impacts.
Our main functions work in concert with one another:
- Ensuring accountability through peer review and assessing and evaluating our impact
- Providing data and scientific analysis to help shape and guide NRDC’s policies and positions
- Enhancing NRDC’s scientific expertise and capacity through external partnerships, such as community groups, think tanks, and other academic scientists
Latest Science Office Reports & Resources
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Powering Ahead
Issue BriefUnited StatesAmanda Levin
This is how Biden administration policies are delivering cleaner electricity and climate progress.
Clean Electricity in States Across the United States: The Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act and Carbon Pollution Standards on States’ Electricity Futures
Fact SheetGeorgia, Michigan, North Carolina, PennsylvaniaAmanda Levin, Mark Drajem
Dirty Water: Toxic “Forever” PFAS Chemicals Are Prevalent in the Drinking Water of Environmental Justice Communities
ReportCaliforniaAvinash Kar, Dr. Anna Reade, Susan Lee
Action is urgently needed to protect Californian communities—especially those already overburdened with cumulative exposure to multiple different types of pollution—from this ubiquitous chemical.
Small Modular Reactors: More Questions Than Answers
Issue BriefUnited StatesDr. Bemnet Alemayehu, Dr. Matthew McKinzie
Curbing Power Plant Carbon Pollution Under the Clean Air Act
Fact SheetUnited StatesDavid Doniger, Amanda Levin, Jada Larson
Enhancing EPA’s Proposed Carbon Standards on Gas Plants
MapUnited StatesAmanda Levin, Maeve Sneddon
What would happen if the EPA adopted carbon pollution standards for gas plants by total plant size? Greater—and cheaper—emissions reductions.
Clean Energy Now for a Safer Climate Future
ReportUnited StatesJacqueline Ennis, Amanda Levin
Pathways to net zero in the United States by 2050
Identifying the Health Benefits of Addressing Climate Change in Ahmedabad, India
Fact SheetIndia, AhmedabadDr. Kim Knowlton, Dr. Vijay Limaye
If we power air conditioning by burning dirty fossil fuels—rather than by harnessing cleaner, renewable energy sources—we increase dangerous air pollution and contribute to the climate crisis.
Rising Temperatures, Deadly Threat: Preparing Communities in India for Extreme Heat Events
ReportAhmedabad, IndiaDr. Kim Knowlton, Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, Dr. Vijay Limaye, Sameer Kwatra
After a deadly heat wave hit the city of Ahmedabad in May 2010, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) began to develop coordinated action to reduce the devastating health effects of heat stress on the local population.
Clean Electricity Tax Credits in the Inflation Reduction Act Will Reduce Emissions, Grow Jobs, and Lower Bills
Issue BriefUnited StatesAmanda Levin, Jacqueline Ennis
The Inflation Reduction Act provides $369 billion in strategic investment to promote clean energy and climate justice, including more than $100 billion in clean electricity tax incentives.
Latest Science Office News & Commentary
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Training Workshop Advances Heat Preparedness in Uttar Pradesh, India
Expert BlogIndiaDr. Vijay Limaye
As 2024's record heat shows, improved heat adaptation planning across India is more urgent than ever.
Responding to Deadly Heat, Uttar Pradesh Drafts Urban Cooling Policy
Expert BlogIndiaSameer Kwatra, Prima Madan, Dr. Vijay Limaye
With record breaking temperatures taking a devastating toll on human health, the state of Uttar Predesh has prepared a long-term heat resilience plan.
Jodhpur, India Unveils A Net-Zero Public Cooling Station
Expert BlogIndiaDr. Vijay Limaye
The city is advancing heat adaptation through launch of a new public cooling station.
The Heat Is On During India’s 2024 General Elections
Expert BlogIndiaDr. Vijay Limaye
Millions of people will be contending with dangerous temperatures over the coming weeks as they cast their ballots.
EPA’s Power Plant Standards: Just the Facts
Expert BlogUnited StatesAmanda Levin
The EPA's power plant standards will ensure that utilities pursue the clean energy investments that are best for Americans’ wallets, health, and our climate.
Climate Change Undermines Healthy Aging
Expert BlogUnited StatesDr. Vijay Limaye
Climate change poses unique and dangerous challenges for older people.
Workshop Accelerates Heat Preparedness Action in India
Expert BlogIndiaDr. Vijay Limaye
A workshop focused on actions to strengthen preparedness as heat risks worsen.
In a Win for Health, the EPA Toughens Limits on Soot Air Pollution
Expert BlogUnited StatesDr. Vijay Limaye, John Walke, Emily Davis
Today's agency action will deliver life-saving protections from dangerous air pollution.
India Takes Action To Address Mounting Heat Risks in Cities
Expert BlogIndiaDr. Vijay Limaye
Experts discuss actions to strengthen heat preparedness in India.
Biggest Grid Operator Can Curb Carbon and Keep Lights On
Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Amanda Levin
A new analysis finds that the nation’s largest grid operator, PJM, can keep our air conditioner and heaters running while meeting EPA’s power plant carbon pollution standards – even during the hottest and coldest weeks. What’s more, they can do…