NRDC Document Bank: Global Warming
The working materials in the NRDC Document Bank are listed in reverse chronological order. For additional policy materials including reports and issue papers, see the Issues section of the main NRDC site.
Recommended Climate and Energy Priorities for the Obama Administration
NRDC worked with more than 30 other environmental groups to create these goals for the Obama transition team.
Extreme Efficiency: How Far Can We Go If We Really Need To?
This paper looks at factors that expand the efficiency potential in the context of the need to meet aggressive climate change emissions reduction goals, and the desire to do so in a way that minimizes costs and enhances economic development. It discusses the potential for continuous improvement in efficiency technology and design approach and how this can produce innovations that have economic benefits beyond the value of energy savings.
Quantifying the Third Leg: The Potential for Smart Growth to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This report reviews the existing literature on the potential for smart growth and related policies to make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and attempts to draw conclusions about the likely magnitude of such a contribution.
Sustainable Fuel Users Group Pledge
NRDC joined with Boeing, international airlines, and other groups in establishing the Sustainable Fuel Users group, which will investigate and promote low-carbon aviation fuels for the aviation industry. This document outlines the tenants from which the group will operate.
Testimony of Michael Goo on the Carbon Capture and Storage Early Deployment Act
Testimony of Michael Goo, Climate Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, United States House of Representatives hearing on "The Carbon Capture and Storage Early Deployment Act," July 10, 2008.
Testimony of George Peridas on "Spinning Straw Into Black Gold: Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Carbon Dioxide"
Written testimony of George Peridas, Ph.D., Science Fellow, Climate Center, Natural Resources Defense Council, submitted to the Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, Unites States House of Representatives hearing on "Spinning Straw Into Black Gold: Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Carbon Dioxide," June 12th, 2008.
Testimony of Michael Goo on Legislative Proposals to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Testimony of Michael Goo, Climate Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality Committee on Energy and Commerce, United States House of Representatives hearing on legislative proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, June 19, 2008.
Oil Security Benefits of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (CSA)
This presentation summarizes how the Climate Security Act would cut oil imports and give greater fuel choices to drivers. These results have been excerpted from a larger analysis conducted by International Resources Group (IRG) for NRDC.
Coal and Natural Gas Use in the Electric Power Sector under the Climate Security Act
This report presents a scenario where increased reliance on efficiency, renewable resources and carbon dioxide capture from coal power plants can achieve the near and mid-term reduction goals of the Climate Security Act without significant changes in reliance on coal, natural gas or nuclear energy to meet U.S. power needs.
Letter to Senate on Climate Security Act
A letter to Senate on Climate Security Act from Frances Beinecke.
Testimony of Michael Goo on the EPA's New Ozone Standards
Testimony of Michael Goo, Climate Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, United States House of Representatives hearing on the "EPA's New Ozone Standards," May 20, 2008.
Environmental Community Letter Opposing Repeal of Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
27 U.S. and Canadian environmental organizations asked the Senate to oppose amendments to the 2008 National Defense Authorization Bill that would repeal section 526 of the Energy Security and Indpendence Act of 2007. Section 526 bars federal agencies from entering into contracts to procure alternative (unconventional and synthetic) transportation fuels with greater lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuel.
- glo_08050701a.pdf Section 526 letter - House
- glo_08050701b.pdf Section 526 letter - Senate
Motion to Enforce the Supreme Court's Massachusetts v. EPA Decision
On 1 year anniversary of landmark Supreme Court global warming decision, NRDC and state-environmental coalition ask D.C. Circuit to end EPA's delay and force action to curb CO2 and other heat-trapping pollutants from cars and trucks.
Testimony of Heather Taylor-Miesle Presented to a Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee
Testimony of Heather Taylor-Miesle, Deputy Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, to a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee regarding funding needs for various environmental agencies to combat global warming, March 13, 2008.
Testimony of David Doniger from February 28th Before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Developing Countries Adaptation to Climate Change
Summary of testimony of David D. Doniger, Climate Center Policy Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, February 28, 2008.
Coal-Fired Power Plants Impacted by Major Court Ruling on Mercury
The prospects for 32 coal-fired power plants in 13 states have been shaken up in the wake of a February 8, 2008 federal appeals court ruling that requires each new coal-fired power plant in the U.S. to adopt stringent toxic air pollution control measures meeting the most rigorous standards under the Clean Air Act.
NRDC responds to Chairman Dingell's latest Climate Change White Paper
This letter responds to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and its Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality's third Climate Change White Paper, "Appropriate Roles for Different Levels of Government." This paper focuses on key factors that should be considered in determining what roles are appropriate for each level of government."
Synapse Study on AMP Ohio Coal Plant
This study outlines evaluated cost estimates regarding AMP-Ohio's proposed pulverized coal plant in Meigs County, OH. The study notes rising construction costs and offers new and realistic cost estimates on a number of the plant's budget lines.
Presentations from Carbon Capture and Sequestration Public Workshops
The materials provided directly below were presented on February 13, 2008 (Sacramento), and February 14, 2008 (Los Angeles), at workshops organized by NRDC and Environmental Defense and co-sponsored by the Air Resources Board, California Climate Action Registry, California Energy Commission, Global Change and Energy Project at Stanford University, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USC Center for Sustainable Cities, USC Energy Institute and the William C. Velasquez Institute.
- glo_08021301a.pdf Sally Benson, Executive Director, Global Climate and Energy Project, Stanford University: Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage in Deep Geological Formations
- glo_08021301b.pdf Charles Christopher, CO2 Storage Technology Consultant, BP Retiree: Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage - an Industry View
- glo_08021301c.pdf James Dooley, Senior Staff Engineer, Joint Global Change Research Institute: Carbon Management and the Global Energy Technology Challenge
- glo_08021301d.pdf Julio Friedmann, Leader, Energy and Environment Directorate, Carbon Management Program, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: Carbon Sequestration Risks and Hazards
- glo_08021301e.pdf David Hawkins, Director, Climate Center, Natural Resources Defense Council: Winning the Coal-Climate War
- glo_08021301f.pdf Howard Herzog, Principal Researcher, CCS Technologies Program, Laboratory for Energy and the Environment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Carbon Capture and Sequestration Economics
- glo_08021301g.pdf Susan Hovorka, Principal Investigator, Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas: Testing Geologic Sequestration of Carbon
- glo_08021301h.pdf Larry Myer, Technical Director, West Coast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership, California Energy Commission: Geologic CO2 Storage Options for California
- glo_08021301i.pdf George Peridas, Science Fellow, Climate Center, Natural Resources Defense Council: Emerging Regulatory Frameworks for Carbon Capture and Sequestration
Testimony of David Doniger on the Oversight of EPA Administrator Johnson's Denial of Waiver for California's Global Warming Standards
Testimony of David Doniger, Policy Director, Climate Center, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Environment and Public Works Committee, United States Senate on January 24, 2008.
Petition for Rulemaking Under the Clean Air Act to Reduce the Emission of Air Pollutants from Aircraft that Contribute to Global Climate Change
Petition sent to the EPA requesting that the agency issue proposed standards for greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft engines, December 31, 2007.
Contribution of the Energy Bill (H.R. 6) to Meeting the Global Warming Pollution Reductions Targets of S. 2191
In December of 2007, Congress signaled a directional shift by advancing two landmark bills. These proposals will help us tackle the climate challenge by adopting new ground rules which spur clean-technology innovation throughout the economy.
NRDC-WRI Collaborative Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions Under the Lieberman-Warner Bill
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions under the Lieberman-Warner Bill (S. 2191), Full Committee Chairman's Mark with Boxer 1st Degree Amendment. Daniel Lashof, Climate Center Science Director, NRDC; John Larsen, Associate, Robert Heilmayr, Research Assistant, Climate and Energy Program, World Resources Institute. Tuesday December 4, 2007.
Global Warming Solutions Map From McKinsey and Company
A new global warming solutions map from McKinsey and Company shows that we know how to solve global warming while growing our economy.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions under the Lieberman-Warner Bill, as Amended in Subcommittee
Analysis of emission reductions under the Lieberman-Warner bill, Daniel Lashof, Climate Center Science Director, John Larsen, Associate; Robert Heilmayr, Research Assistant, Climate and Energy Program, World Resources Institute, Tuesday, November 13, 2007.
Testimony of David Hawkins on America's Climate Security Act of 2007
Testimony of David Hawkins, Director, Climate Center, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, Hearing on America's Climate Security Act of 2007, S. 2191, November 13, 2007.
Testimony of Frances Beinecke on America's Climate Security Act
Testimony of Frances Beinecke, President, Natural Resources Defense Council, before the Subcommittee on Public and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection, Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, Hearing on America's Climate Security Act, October 24, 2007.
- glo_07102401a.pdf Written Comments
- glo_07102401b.pdf Oral Testimony
Coal in a Changing Climate
Presentation given at Western Governors' Association Clean Coal Workshop in Denver on October 23, 2007 by George Peridas outlining the need to act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, why coal is not clean due to its upstream impacts, and how we can act now to minimize CO2 emissions from new coal plants.
Fundamental Principles for Climate Legislation
Letter outlining the fundamental principles for climate legislation, endorsed by 16 environmental groups.
Protecting the Global Environment - 1985 Amicus Journal
Tom Stoel celebrates the victory achieved in the Montreal Protocol, but he emphasizes the need to 'finish the job' and implement more stringent CFC reductions.
- glo_07091203a.pdf 5.59 MB
Is the Stratosphere Half Empty or Half Full? - 1987 Amicus Journal
Tom Stoel, former director of the NRDC's international program, reviews international environmental issues of the era, including ozone depletion, and call global citizens to action.
- glo_07091202a.pdf 1.08 MB
Cooling the Chemical Summer - 1986 Amicus Journal
David Doniger reviews the status of the science and policy surrounding ozone depletion in 1986 and calls on the U.S. and the international community to implement strict regulations phasing out ozone depleting substances.
- glo_07091201a.pdf 3.15 MB
Voter Opinion Survey on Global Warming and Reducing Carbon Emissions, June 2007
Summary Findings for Congressional Districts of Six Moderate Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
- glo_07071601a.pdf Summary
- glo_07071601b.pdf Arkansas 4th Congressional District Findings
- glo_07071601c.pdf Arkansas 4th Congressional District Slides
- glo_07071601d.pdf Georgia 12th Congressional District Findings
- glo_07071601e.pdf Georgia 12th Congressional District Slides
- glo_07071601f.pdf Louisiana 3rd Congressional District Findings
- glo_07071601g.pdf Louisiana 3rd Congressional District Slides
- glo_07071601h.pdf Pennsylvania 14th Congressional District Findings
- glo_07071601i.pdf Pennsylvania 14th Congressional District Slides
- glo_07071601j.pdf Texas 29th Congressional District Findings
- glo_07071601k.pdf Texas 29th Congressional District Slides
- glo_07071601l.pdf Utah 2nd Congressional District Findings
- glo_07071601m.pdf Utah 2nd Congressional District Slides
Letter to Stanford University Regarding ExxonMobil Funding
A letter to Stanford University regarding ExxonMobil funding and global warming from Frances Beinecke.
Testimony on Coal Gasification
Testimony of Antonia Herzog, Staff Scientist, Climate Center, before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate on May 24, 2007.
Testimony on Boucher Discussion Draft
Statement of Daniel A. Lashof, NRDC's Climate Center Science Director, before the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives on May 24, 2007.
Statement on Implementation of the Renewable Fuels Standard
Statement of Daniel A. Lashof, NRDC's Climate Center Science Director, before the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives on May 8, 2007.
Testimony on the Implications of the Supreme Court's Decision Regarding EPA's Authorities with Respect to Greenhouse Gases Under the Clean Air Act
Testimony of David Doniger, NRDC's Policy Director and Senior Attorney, before the Committee on Environment and Public Works on April 24, 2007.
Testimony on S. 731 and S. 962: Carbon Capture and Sequestration
Testimony of David G. Hawkins, NRDC's Climate Center Director, before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Unites States Senate on April 16, 2007.
Bioenergy Feedstock Guiding Principles
Coalition letter to senators urging support for sustainably produced bioenergy and outlining a set of guiding principles to provide the basis for environmental performance standards.
Testimony on S.987, the Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007
Testimony of Daniel A. Lashof, NRDC's Climate Center Science Director, before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resource, United States Senate on April 12, 2007.
Comments on Proposed Rule to List the Polar Bear as a Threatened Species
NRDC comments submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on its proposal to list the polar bear as a threatened species.
- glo_07040901a.pdf 1.37 MB
Statement on MIT's "Future of Coal" Report
Statement of Daniel A. Lashof, NRDC's Climate Center Science Director, submitted to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resource, United States Senate on March 22, 2007
Global Warming Legislation and a Cap-and-Trade Program
NRDC's response to questions from the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality of the House of Representatives on legislation to curb global warming.
Testimony on Carbon Capture and Sequestration
Testimony of David G. Hawkins, NRDC's Climate Center Director, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives on March 6th, 2007.
Testimony on U.S. 10-Year Energy Research and Development Outlook
Testimony of David G. Hawkins, NRDC's Climate Center Director, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives on February 28th, 2007.
Statement on the Energy Information Administration's Analysis of Chairman Bingaman's Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Discussion Draft Proposal
Statement of Daniel A. Lashof, NRDC's Climate Center Science Director, before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resource on January 24, 2007.
A Call for Action: Consensus Principles and Recommendations from the U.S. Climate Action Partnership
In January 2007, the USCAP coalition, an unprecedented partnership of leading environmental groups and major businesses, issued a call for strong federal legislation to stop, slow and reverse global warming. This document lists the founding members of the coalition and outlines the principles and goals recommended by the group for potential legislation.
Power to Save: An Alternative Path to Meet Electric Needs in Texas
Produced by Optimal Energy, Inc. and commissioned by NRDC and Ceres, this report finds that promoting energy efficiency could meet Texas' electricity needs more reliably and at a lower cost than building new power plants.
An Action Plan to Reduce U.S. Global Warming Pollution
A detailed plan to reduce U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by 60 percent in the next 50 years.
Rebalancing the Carbon Cycle
Testimony submitted by Daniel A. Lashof, science director of NRDC's climate center, to the Subcommittee on Energy and Resources of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform, September 27, 2006
Testimony of David D. Doniger, NRDC Climate Center Policy Director, on the Asia Pacific Partnership
Testimony before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, September 20,2006.
A State Climate Plan for Florida: A Roadmap to Carbon Emissions Reductions
Florida must take action now to both meet the energy needs of its growing population and to address global warming pollution.
Massachusetts v. EPA, Amicus Briefs
Brief filed by NRDC and other petitioners on August 31, 2006 in the case Massachusetts v. EPA, to determine whether the EPA has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide from motor vehicles.
- glo_06083101a.pdf Brief for the Petitioners
- glo_06083101b.pdf The Alaska Inter-tribal Council, Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments and Resisting Environmental Destruction on Indigenous Lands
- glo_06083101c.pdf Madeleine K. Albright
- glo_06083101d.pdf Arizona, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota and Wisconsin
- glo_06083101e.pdf Aspen Skiiing Company
- glo_06083101f.pdf Calpine Corporation
- glo_06083101g.pdf Climate Scientists
- glo_06083101h.pdf U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Association of Counties, International Municipal Lawyers Association, the City of Seattle, the City of Albuquerque, the City of Burlington, and the City and County of San Francisco
- glo_06083101i.pdf State of Delaware
- glo_06083101j.pdf Entergy Corporation
- glo_06083101k.pdf Former EPA Administrators Carol M. Browner, William K. Reilly, Douglas M. Costle and Russell E. Train
- glo_06083101l.pdf National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., Church World Service and National Catholic Rural Life Conference
- glo_06083101m.pdf North Coast Rivers Alliance, Desert Protection Society, Westside Association to Save Agriculture, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, Save Medicine Lake Coalition, Klamath Forest Alliance, San Joaquin Audubon Society and North Cascades Conservation Council
- glo_06083101n.pdf Ocean and Coastal Conservation Interests
- glo_06083101o.pdf Wildlife Conservation Interests
Coal Liquefaction and Gasification
Testimony submitted by David Hawkins, director of NRDC's climate center, to the U.S. Senate Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources, April 24, 2006
A Reader's Guide to the National Coal Council Report
NRDC's analysis of the March 22, 2006, National Coal Council report called "Coal, America's Energy Future." Executives from Peabody Energy, the country's largest coal producer, chaired the study and the work group that wrote the report.
Comments on "Design Elements of a Mandatory Market-Based Greenhouse Gas Regulatory System"
Submitted by NRDC's David Doniger to the Senate Energy Committee on March 13, 2006 (as revised March 14, 2006)
Solving Global Warming and Oil Dependence Together
Presented by David Hawkins, director of NRDC's climate center, at a congressional briefing, March 8, 2006
- glo_06031001a.pdf 4.01 MB
Supplemental Comments on Standards of Performance for Steam Generating Units
Submitted by David Doniger to the Environmental Protection Agency, 70 Fed. Reg. 9706, Feb. 28, 2005, Docket No. OAR 2005-0031
Taming the Climate Dragon
Presented by David Hawkins, director of NRDC's climate center, at E2 EcoSalon, February 23, 2006: "Global Warming: Where Do We Go from Here?"
- glo_06022301a.pdf 9.34 MB
Policies to Promote Carbon-less Energy Systems
Delivered on September 6, 2004, at the 7th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Vancouver, Canada, by David Hawkins, director of NRDC's climate center.
Find Your Favorite NRDC website
- News & Blogs:
- OnEarth/Greenlight
- Switchboard
- Nature's Voice
- Activism:
- BioGems
- Polar Bear SOS
- Ocean Protection:
- Your Oceans
- Global Warming & Energy:
- Beat the Heat
- Move America Beyond Oil
- Health & Green Living:
- Simple Steps
- This Green Life
- Green Paws
- For Business:
- Building Green
- Market Innovation
- Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2)
- NRDC Cool Sites:
- It's Your Nature
- GreenDay+NRDC
- For Kids:
- Green Squad