POST WRITTEN BY: Catherine Lyster (’15), Pace Law School
For practitioners interested in keeping up to date with the latest developments and key issues affecting the environment, analysis of recent legislative action, or more in depth reports on specific environmental topics–then the Natural Resources Defense Council website, http://www.nrdc.org, is the place to go.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a non-profit environmental policy and advocacy group of lawyers and scientist who work with businesses, community organizations, and policy makers on issues related to the environment. Their mission is “to safeguard the earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends.” About, NRDC.
This website is a useful source for the practitioner who needs to find clear, up-to-date information on a broad range of issues relating to the environment including energy, oceans, sustainable development, health, nuclear energy as well as environmental concerns that affect the global community. Besides providing the practitioner with a basic understanding of these issues, the website also has more in-depth scientific reports. Additionally, the practitioner will find briefs on current environmental concerns affecting specific regions, analysis of recent legislation, and fact sheets.
The NRDC is an environmental advocacy group so the information on the website is strongly aimed at convincing readers that there are a number of environmental problems that are the result of human behavior. However, they provide sources and scientific data to back up the statements that they make.
By clicking the ‘Issues’ tab the practitioner will be taken to a page with links to a wide range of topics relating to the environment, from global warming and food and agriculture, to environmental justice and transportation. From here there are links to facts sheets, guides, reports, and overviews of more specific issues relating to a topic.
The ‘Policy’ tab is where the practitioner will find more in-depth information on current issues, research reports, blog posts and legislative analysis. The ‘Act Now’ tab will give the practitioner easy tips on how to live a more environmentally friendly life and also allow you to send messages to the EPA, the President, and members of Congress petitioning them to take action on an environmental concern that affects you. Finally, if you have still not found what you are looking for, there is a search box in the top right hand corner of the page. It only offers a basic search of all of the material on the website but if you have a specific topic or term to search then it is possible to find some helpful information.