May 22, 2018

Fishery Managers Must Recognize Atlantic Herring’s Key Role in Ocean Health

by Erica Fuller

Atlantic herring is the main source of food for larger fish, whales, and seabirds. However, New England fishery managers currently don’t take herring’s key role as a food source into account when determining how many herring fisherman can catch. Now, there’s a chance to improve how New England sets herring catch limits.

May 22, 2018

Clean Renewable Energy Is the Key to a Resilient Electric Grid in New England

by David Ismay

New analysis from the regional grid operator, ISO New England (ISO), confirms what CLF and other experts have been saying for some time: New England doesn’t need expensive natural gas pipelines to keep the lights on and our homes warm even during our harshest winters. In fact, thanks to the growth of clean, renewable energy,… Continue reading Clean Renewable Energy Is the Key to a Resilient Electric Grid in New England

Clean, renewable energy like wind and solar are ramping up in New England.
May 17, 2018

CLF Continues Working to Restore Native River Herring to New England’s Coastal Rivers

by Emily Green

Every year, alewives and blueback herring return to their native waters to spawn. But thousands of dams have cut these fish off from thousands of acres of freshwater bodies, thwarting reproductive cycles that had been ongoing for eons. The impact of these dams, on top of threats from pollution and overfishing, have led to a drastic decline in river herring populations –  threatening their survival.

Saccarappa Falls Presumpscot River Maine
May 16, 2018

Unprecedented Attack on Nation’s Ocean Lurks in Congress

by Jennifer Felt

A slew of bills under debate in Congress would endanger our marine life and ocean ecosystems by decimating key conservation protections offered by existing laws. Coupled with harmful actions from the Executive Branch, our ocean faces threats from some in Washington who are more concerned with lining the pockets of a few oil and gas industry executives than with the health of our ocean and coastal communities.

Acadia Ocean
May 14, 2018

Climate Change Preparedness on Trial

by Elena Mihaly

Harvey. Irma. Maria. Nate. Last year, during a 45-day period, eight consecutive named storms strengthened into hurricanes. All told, the 2017 hurricane season was the most expensive in history, causing more than $200 billion in damage nationwide. Meanwhile, so-called 100-year floods are becoming so common the metric is losing its meaning and utility. For instance,… Continue reading Climate Change Preparedness on Trial

May 14, 2018

What’s Wrong with Burning Our Trash, Anyway?

by Ahmina Maxey

Incinerator companies have done a great job green-washing their true impacts on communities by implying that so-called “waste-to-incineration” facilities are good neighbors offering a safe process that eliminates waste, allows for robust recycling programs, and generates renewable energy. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is burning waste harms the health, environment, and economy of many communities. The perceived benefits simply aren’t worth the risk.

Incinerator
May 10, 2018

Nitrogen Denial in the Great Bay Estuary

by Melissa Paly

The Great Bay-Piscataqua Estuary is an incredible place. It’s home to numerous fish and bird species and provides spectacular fishing, boating, and recreation for the people of New Hampshire, Maine, and beyond. But persistent high levels of nitrogen pollution have disrupted these waters, and while progress is being made, some municipal officials are fighting against the changes that can save Great Bay.

Photo: Great Bay Estuary | EcoPhotography
May 10, 2018

Final Showdown Begins Between Invenergy, CLF, and Burrillville Residents

by Bethany Kwoka

For two years, Invenergy has been trying to build an unneeded, unwanted fossil fuel power plant in the heart of a state forest in Burrillville, Rhode Island. But Burrillville – along with nearly every other town across the state – has stood against the project, as it would harm local communities, devastate an important wildlife corridor,… Continue reading Final Showdown Begins Between Invenergy, CLF, and Burrillville Residents

The Invenergy Final Hearing resumed this week
May 9, 2018

Are You Composting Yet? If Not, Spring Is a Good Time to Start!

by Kirstie Pecci

Over the last few years, the push to get food waste out of landfills and incinerators has become the new kale. Or cupcakes. Or bone broth. You get the picture. And rightfully so! As a nation, we waste a staggering amount of food every year: about 40 percent of what we produce. That’s more than… Continue reading Are You Composting Yet? If Not, Spring Is a Good Time to Start!

Composting food scraps
May 9, 2018

Public Concerns Ignored in Approval of Massive Landfill Expansion

by Kirstie Pecci

Update May 9, 2018: Conservation Law Foundation has filed an appeal to stop the expansion of the Wheelabrator Saugus ash landfill. When the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) this week gave its final okay for an ash landfill in Saugus to expand, it signaled that polluting our communities and our environment is perfectly fine… Continue reading Public Concerns Ignored in Approval of Massive Landfill Expansion

Wheelabrator Power Plant Photo