Our work
Explore the work made possible by your support and activism.
-
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:
-
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:
-
REPORT
Affordability pathways through energy efficiency in Florida
Whitepaper prepared for Environmental Defense Fund by partner organization Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) identifies cost-effective pathways for improving affordability for residents of Florida and outlines key opportunities to advance residential energy efficiency.More on:
-
-
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:
-
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(GRAS) notices that food manufacturers voluntarily submitted to FDA and found that 1) no GRAS notices followed FDA's draft guidance, and 2) there were high risks of bias and conflicts of interest.More on:
-
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Broken GRAS: Companies ignore FDA draft guidance; Bias & conflicts of interest prevail in safety determinations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:
-
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:
-
REPORT
Methane Emissions from U.S. Gas Pipeline Leaks
EDF’s analysis indicates that methane emissions from gas pipeline leaks are significantly higher than current estimates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This report details policy recommendations to reduce leakage from pipelines and EDF's methodology for estimating methane emissions from pipeline infrastructure.More on:
-
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:
-
REPORT
U.S. Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Investments and Jobs - August 2023
This report from EDF and WSP finds that the U.S. market for electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, which was turbocharged by passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) one year ago, has continued to race ahead and is not expected to slow down any time soon.More on:
-
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:
-
ANALYSIS
Higher temperatures in socially vulnerable US communities increasingly limit safe use of electric fans for cooling
This study from EDF scientists and partners uses hourly weather reanalysis data (1950–2021) to examine the temporal and spatial evolution of ambient climate conditions in the continental United States considered safe for fan use, focusing on high social vulnerability index regions. Authors find that some regions experience hundreds to thousands of hours per year that are too hot for safe fan use.More on:
-
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:
-
-
PROJECT
Hydrogen Emissions Measurement Study [PDF]
With the help of new hydrogen measurement technology and experts in making trace gas measurements, EDF is launching the Hydrogen Emissions Measurement Study.More on:
-
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:
-
ANALYSIS
Wide range in estimates of hydrogen emissions from infrastructure
Hydrogen is a tiny, leak-prone molecule that can indirectly warm the climate. Thus, hydrogen emissions from its value chain could considerably undermine the anticipated climate benefits of a hydrogen economy. This EDF review paper synthesizes studies to provide an overview of the available knowledge on hydrogen emissions across value chains.More on:
-
REPORT
Farmworkers and heat stress in the United States
Report from EDF and La Isla Network details what is needed to protect farm labor from dangerous heat.More on:
-
-
REPORT
Heat stress threatens agricultural workers’ health
Report from EDF and La Isla Network details what is needed to protect farm labor from dangerous heatMore on:
-
BLOG POST
For a Clean, Safe Ride to School, Electric Buses Get Straight A’s. Propane? Needs Improvement
School districts around the country are considering a switch to buses that use less fuel, cost less, and, most importantly, provide safe and healthy trips to and from school. Only one option wins on each of these critical criteria: electric. -
BLOG POST
Cover crop costs vary significantly: new data from 83 Minnesota farms shows
Data on the financial impacts of climate-smart practices, like cover crops, can help inform farmers’ financial decisions when considering these practices. While cover crops can help improve soil health and make farms more resilient to extreme weather, farmers continue to have questions about the types of financial impacts cover crops will have on their operations. […] The post Cover crop costs vary significantly: new data from 83 Minnesota farms shows first appeared on Growing Returns.More on:
-
REPORT
Methane Waste and Pollution in Texas
Study commissioned by EDF shows that fossil fuel producers in Texas are wasting energy resources in the form of methane. In doing so, they’re harming the climate, public health, and the economy.More on:
-
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: