The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a nonprofit organization that works to protect the earth and its inhabitants. NRDC’s mission is to safeguard the planet, including its people, plants, animals, and natural systems, which are essential for all life.
To achieve this goal, NRDC leverages the power of its more than 3 million members and online activists, as well as the expertise of over 700 scientists, lawyers, and policy advocates around the world.
The organization focuses on protecting the rights of every single person to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment.
NRDC was founded in 1970 in New York by lawyer John H. Adams, along with other litigators who shared his passion for environmental protection.
The organization was the first national environmental advocacy group to focus on legal action as a means of safeguarding the environment.
Over the years, NRDC has achieved hundreds of victories in its efforts to protect the environment. Some of its major achievements include:
- Protecting marine life: NRDC has worked to protect whales, dolphins, and other marine animals from threats such as commercial fishing, oil drilling, and sonar testing. The organization has also worked to establish marine protected areas to conserve marine biodiversity.
- Fighting climate change: NRDC has been a leader in efforts to combat climate change, advocating for clean energy, including wind and solar power, and pushing for stronger regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.
- Preserving wilderness areas: NRDC has worked to preserve wilderness areas, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, from oil and gas drilling and other forms of development.
- Advocating for clean air and water: NRDC has fought to strengthen regulations on air and water pollution to protect public health and the environment.
In summary, NRDC is a nonprofit organization that combines the power of its members and online activists with the expertise of scientists, lawyers, and policy advocates to safeguard the earth and its inhabitants.
Through legal action and advocacy, NRDC has achieved numerous victories in its efforts to protect the environment and ensure a truly healthy planet for generations to come.