Our work
Explore the work made possible by your support and activism.
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ANALYSIS
Policy options for addressing methane emissions from the coal sector
This paper analyses three groups of policies leading to the decrease in methane emissions in the coal sector: 1) policies stimulating reduction in coal supply/demand, 2) policies stimulating the reduction in methane emissions, and 3) enabling polices and regulatory frameworks.More on:
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WEBSITE
The U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index
Pulling in 184 sets of data to rank more than 70,000 U.S. Census tracts, the U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index helps you see which communities face the greatest challenges from the impacts of a changing climate.More on:
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REPORT
In the voluntary carbon market, buyers will pay for quality
Study of nearly 500 company leaders in charge of voluntary carbon credit purchases for their companies finds that buyers across market segments are willing to pay significantly more for credits with demonstrably high quality.More on:
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BLOG POST
What a carbon credit buyer wants: New survey from BCG shows higher demand for high quality in the voluntary carbon market
The voluntary carbon market has been in a flurry in the past year to define integrity and quality for carbon credits. Between the recently released Core Carbon Principles from the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market, to the Claims Code of Practice from the Voluntary Carbon Market Initiative, we now have more guidance and […]More on:
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BLOG POST
Science to Action: a ten-year review of California’s MPA Network
Marine protected areas (MPA) are a conservation tool that sets aside part of the ocean to protect it for long-term conservation, similar to the way a state or national park functions on land. These MPAs are an effective way to preserve biodiversity by protecting ecosystems. But how are they utilized by people, and do they […]More on:
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BLOG POST
New Mexico is off course for reaching its climate goals, but there’s enormous opportunity for action
New Mexico communities know the stakes for climate change are high — hotter and drier conditions threaten public health, livelihoods, and cultural and recreational resources, as they lead to increased drought, extended and more extreme wildfire seasons, and extreme heat. Those impacts are projected to get much worse in the coming decades, without serious and […]More on:
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REPORT
Evaluating New Mexico's progress on critical climate targets
EDF analysis finds that New Mexico will achieve less than one-third of the 45% reduction in climate pollution by 2030 that was committed to by the governor via 2019 executive order.More on:
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ANALYSIS
Out of balance: conflicts of interest persist in food chemicals determined to be generally recognized as safe
EDF co-authored study published in the journal Environmental Health evaluated Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) notices that food manufacturers voluntarily submitted to FDA and found that 1) no GRAS notices followed FDA's draft guidance, and 2) there were high risks of bias and conflicts of interest.More on:
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BLOG POST
Broken GRAS: Companies ignore FDA draft guidance; Bias & conflicts of interest prevail in safety determinations
By Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer Chemicals, Klara Matouskova, PhD, Consultant, and Maricel Maffini, PhD, Consultant What Happened? In our new study, we evaluated Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) notices—a total of 403 between 2015-2020—that food manufacturers voluntarily submitted to FDA for review. Our goal was to determine whether industry was adhering to FDA’s Guidance on Best Practices for […] The post Broken GRAS: Companies ignore FDA draft guidance; Bias & conflicts of interest prevail in safety determinations first appeared on EDF Health.More on:
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BLOG POST
The impact of storm surge barriers on estuaries and ecosystems
Published in the scientific journal Earth's Future and supported in part by funding from Environmental Defense Fund, a new research agenda focuses on the intersection between the increased use of storm surge barriers and the resulting estuary impacts. These are three key takeaways from our research. The post The impact of storm surge barriers on estuaries and ecosystems first appeared on Growing Returns.More on:
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BLOG POST
We need to know more about leaks before betting big on hydrogen
By Sofia Esquivel Elizondo Enthusiasm for hydrogen as a climate-friendly fuel of the future is everywhere. Hundreds of hydrogen energy projects worth more than $500 billion have been announced, and The International Energy Agency says hydrogen demand could increase sixfold by 2050. Scientists, though, are confident that this leak-prone gas can warm the climate when […]More on:
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BLOG POST
Seaweed to Slow Down Climate Change: Ready? Or Not?
Seaweed is having a moment. I’ve been working on seaweed for 40 years, and I’ve never seen so many headlines about how seaweed can save the planet. I can understand why. The need to save the planet is more pressing than ever. We must now dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, at the same time, […]More on:
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ANALYSIS
Higher temperatures make fans less able to cool, putting communities at risk
Research co-authored by EDF uses hourly weather reanalysis data to examine the evolution of ambient climate conditions in the continental United States, focusing on high social vulnerability index (SVI) regions. Study finds that there are regions that experience hundreds to thousands of hours per year that are too hot for safe fan use.More on:
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ANALYSIS
If you build it, they will come: Coastal amenities facilitate human engagement in marine protected areas
Study co-authored by EDF characterizes human engagement in California's marine protected areas (MPA) network and identifies traits associated with higher human engagement.More on:
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REPORT
The economics of cover crops on Minnesota farms
In 2021, EDF, the University of Minnesota and other partners began a collaborative effort to gather farm-level financial data on cover crops. The project is gathering detailed financial data on cover crops between 2022-2024 from corn, soybean, and other row crop farms across Minnesota. The data and insights from this project may also provide value to federal and local cost-share programs, agricultural lending solutions, and other climate-smart initiatives.More on:
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BLOG POST
Linking knowledge and action for climate-ready fisheries: Putting the puzzle together
By Julia Mason and Sarah Weisberg What will it take to create climate-resilient fisheries? Fisheries scientists and managers across the US have been sensing a change in the air — and not just the highest temperatures ever recorded, although they probably contribute. There’s a growing sense of climate urgency in fishery management conversations and agendas. […]More on:
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EXPERT VOICES
Producing food sustainably in a warming world
Amanda Leland, Executive Director at Environmental Defense Fund, on why supporting farmers, fishers and food producers is critical to ensuring abundant food for a growing population in a warming world.More on:
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ANALYSIS
Seaweed blue carbon: Ready? Or Not?
EDF scientists and co-authors engaged experts in a system mapping exercise to support decision-making in the context of the high levels of uncertainty associated with seaweed blue carbon.More on:
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BLOG POST
Analysis: Cutting oil and gas methane is one of Canada’s most affordable climate solutions
By Ari Pottens and Maureen Lackner New research confirms that cutting methane emissions from the oil and gas sector is one of the fastest and most affordable steps Canada can take to help address the climate crisis. According to the report by Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors, Canada’s upstream oil and gas companies can eliminate […]More on:
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BLOG POST
Landmark study reveals that millions of Americans live less than a mile from an orphaned oil and gas well
By Adam Peltz & Kate Roberts This week, the Department of the Interior announced nearly $660 million in grant funding to plug orphan wells across the U.S., adding to $560 million in initial funding from last summer. The news comes on the heels of new research led by researchers at McGill University and EDF experts […]More on:
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ANALYSIS
Saskatchewan's oil and gas methane: how have underestimated emissions in Canada impacted progress toward 2025 climate goals?
EDF research reveals problems with the way Saskatchewan is managing emissions from a very specific type of oil production known as Cold Heavy Oil Production with Sand. A lot of gas, most of which is methane, also comes out during this process.More on:
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ANALYSIS
Linking knowledge and action for climate-ready fisheries: Emerging best practices across the US
Study co-authored by EDF scientists distills 8 lessons from emerging climate-informed US fisheries management efforts.More on: