Dear NRDC Supporter,

NRDC is committed to tackling climate change, standing up to polluters, and protecting people's health, well-being and livelihoods and we believe in an environmental movement that, at its core, seeks justice.

To build an equitable, fair, and greener future, NRDC is making some important changes to how we incorporate racial equity and social justice into our work.

We're excited to announce the launch of two new initiatives — the Science Office and the Environment, Equity, and Justice Center, which will join the existing Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), working together to embed equity deeper into our work, create partnerships for change, and foster a more just and sustainable future for all.

Read more about the launch of the Science Office and Environment, Equity, and Justice Center, and how — with the DEI office — these exciting new developments will transform our work and the broader environmental movement to be more equitable.

Advancing equity in our work requires us to utilize science as a tool to support those most harmed by environmental and climate crises, as well as partner with frontline groups and push for long-lasting, community-driven change.

This can be seen in our fight to secure safe and affordable drinking water in places like Flint, MI, and addressing food insecurity due to declining pollinator populations, safeguarding communities in places like Los Angeles from toxic oil and gas drilling in crowded neighborhoods, or stopping disastrous oil pipelines that put the health and safety of Indigenous communities at risk — but there's more work to be done.

These three offices will serve as pillars that uphold NRDC's work to make significant changes within our organization — and in the way we show up as allies for our partners. Here's how these offices will help us ensure we are putting people first in all that we do:

NRDC's Science Office aims to drive, shape, and support our ability to protect public health, preserve wild spaces, build a strong environmental movement, and advance social justice. Its goal is to bridge the gap between science and the people, wildlife, and ecosystems it serves.

NRDC's new Environment, Equity, and Justice Center is pursuing an integrated approach to addressing persistent and connected threats of climate change, environmental inequality, racial injustice, and socioeconomic insecurity. The Center's work to push for long-lasting change is rooted in partnerships with frontline groups to advance community-driven solutions and to help build power in communities most harmed by inequities. Ultimately, we believe this approach will foster a stronger, more diverse environmental movement and a safer, more just world.

NRDC's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), led by Troy Riddle, seeks to create a culture where people can bring their full selves to work, and feel encouraged to grow and thrive professionally. It focuses on ensuring that NRDC's internal culture reflects and embodies principles and practices of equity.

Learn more about these initiatives, the leaders at the helm, and how together they'll help NRDC shape a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable future on NRDC.org.

We'll deepen our commitments to frontline communities and help build local power that is durable and authentic. We'll strengthen our campaigns through rigorous data and scientific analysis, using science as a tool to support equitable solutions. And as we approach this work, we can be confident that each day, everyone at NRDC is putting their best self forward, in an environment that is safe and supportive.

The path ahead is clear. And as we walk it, we will become an organization that is more effective than it has ever been before, allowing us to shape a livable future for all — both externally and internally.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kristi Pullen Fedinick, Chief Science Officer, NRDC
Melissa Lin Perrella, Chief Equity and Justice Officer, NRDC