More than 80 percent of Americans live in cities and suburbs—and this number is skyrocketing.
NRDC programs help create strong, just, and resilient communities—making cities healthier, more sustainable places to live. We work to lower energy bills, reduce flooding, improve access to healthier food, and make it cheaper and easier for everyone to get around. And when polluters threaten communities, our lawyers go to court on their behalf.
Our Priorities
Protecting Communities
Low-income communities are disproportionately affected by health problems associated with fossil fuels.
Sustainable Cities
More than 80 percent of the U.S. population lives in and around cities.
Energy-Efficient Buildings
Buildings are the single-biggest source of carbon pollution in most U.S. cities.
Climate-Resilient Cities
Thanks to better efficiency standards, Los Angeles now uses only as much water it did in the 1970s.
Local Food Systems
A typical American meal contains ingredients from five foreign countries.
What's at Stake
What you can do
How to Unite the Fight for Racial Equity and Environmental Action
How to Write a Successful Letter to the Editor
5 Ways City Dwellers Can Spur Climate Action
How to Tackle Fracking in Your Community
Take Recycling to the Next Level—at Home, at Work, and in Your Community
How to Protect Your Community From Crude Oil "Bomb Trains"
How to Block Big Polluters
Green Your School
How Can I Protect Wildlife in My Community?
