1 person found this review helpful
Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.
Invite reviews
Invite friends and colleagues to share their experiences with this nonprofit
January 14, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
Unfortunately the NRDC has been on the wrong side of battles over toxics for a long time.
Most notably, they supported NAFTA, one of several international trade agreements being used to impose industry-friendly regulations about toxic emissions, and to push pesticides and genetically modified crops, on other countries.
Their name really says it all: Natural Resources Defense Fund. They take money ('Fund') to defend natural resources. But how was it determined that nature is a 'resource', to be managed, controlled, and used by humans, rather than something that exists for its own reasons, and with its own priorities?
Some other explicit examples of NRDC not supporting environmental justice:
They refused to oppose the pesticide program against the light brown apple moth (aka. LBAM), which injured at least hundreds, if not thousands of people in California, and killed hundreds of birds in the Monterey Bay. They questioned the validity of the claims of the injured, and stubbornly defended the use of the injurious synthetic 'pheromones' pesticides, to eradicate a moth which even the agency involved in the program admitted had not done any crop damage:
http://www.sfdph.org/dph/files/EHSdocs/ehsLBAM/NRDC.pdf
http://www.dontspraycalifornia.org/lbam.html
Currently they are defending the electricity, gas, and water utilities' installation of digital 'Smart' meters, which have been injuring and displacing many residents with pulsing emissions of radio-frequency radiation and dirty electricity from the meters' switching mode power supply:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/07/26/the-green-sheen-wearing-thin-how-corporate-environmental-organizations-are-providing-cover-for-the-mounting-ecological-catastrophe-of-the-%E2%80%9Csmart-grid%E2%80%9D/
http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/75265
NRDC has also been linked to wetlands developers:
http://www.nonprofitwatch.org/nrdc/
The organization is included in an important expose about 'green' groups that are involved in greenwashing:
http://www.thenation.com/article/wrong-kind-green
And I also echo others who shared their opinions in the archived comments of this site (see link at the bottom of the reviews page), that it is inappropriate for a 'nonprofit' to pay anyone a 6-digit salary.
There is really no more doubt. The NRDC is corrupt. There are far better groups to support, who need donations far more urgently to continue their work to defend communities under assault from toxic corporate greed, than the NRDC.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
betraying the efforts of grassroots movements that defend their communities from toxic assault, by stubbornly ignoring peer reviewed science and supporting the toxic nightmare being imposed on our neighborhoods.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
shut it down. There's not much salvageable, when you have overpaid bureaucrats, and support for government projects that are destructive to the earth, and staff scientists who ignore peer reviewed science about environmental health concerns, as well as thousands of people getting sick. Start over with something that serves the people, not industry.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Some
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
How did you learn about this organization?
Forwarded self congratulatory mailings that misrepresent struggles, and the organization's role in them.
1 person found this review helpful
January 13, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I've worked with several environmental advocacy organizations, and have been volunteering for NRDC for the past several months. I noticed that there has been some concern that when a person takes action on a website and sends a message to a government agency (like the US Wildlife Services or the EPA), the agency may post it online. This is in every activist website policy, just as it is in NRDC’s. Keep in mind NRDC's work has definitely paid off; online activists have helped save millions of acres of wildlife and stopped countless polluters from endangering our health. I trust activists demonstrate the current of their convictions, and continue to take action online to protect the environment.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
December 30, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I have donated to NRDC for years and I am confident of the positive impact their work has upon our environment. I particularly like that NRDC is brave and smart enough to calibrate their efforts primarily upon good science---even when that leads sometimes to controversial stands within the Green Movement community.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
December 9, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
We no longer donate. NRDC clearly bows to industry instead of the environment. It repeats talking points about technology saving us from ourselves instead of defending natural resources like basic requirements for life. NRDC now speaks out for the forced installation of smart meters and the smart grid, which represent a contamination of our "wireless commons", the space around us. Smart meters have created terrible suffering and will continue to do so. If NRDC gets its way there will be no escape anywhere from the invisible unwanted microwave penetration of our homes and communities.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Unsure
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
December 8, 2011
You need to be aware that when you send those action letters for NRDC that all that personal information you provide can be posted online in pdf form. I just found out that not only my name and address is on a pdf action letter when you google my name but also it includes my email address and yes my phone number. NRDC knows this can occur but does not feel it is important to point this out to members it's just all part of the risks involved. I think they really should be disclosing this information to members. This letter went to a government agency. I have spoken with an Amy at NRDC HQ but haven't heard back yet. Before I found out about this pdf I had left NRDC due to all the action letters it wanted me to send out. There is no focus with this organization and a lot of busy work and my guess not a lot really gets done or impacted due to the way they take it all on. Another non profit looking busy. I wonder if Redford or Mr. Tishman the Chair would like their personal information posted on a pdf online without their knowing it? They better start googling since who knows what NRDC has gotten them into as well.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The only result I experienced was finding my personal information posted on line by using NRDC's online action letter forms.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Make sure that members know that any information they provide for the action letters may end up on the web, which could include their name, address, email address and their phone number. I would also say they need to focus on certain issues and not be sending letters on so many issues. This got ridiculous. I think they like to look busy.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Do not allow my personal information to get posted online for starters. Then focus on a few core projects to focus on with action letters.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Yeah I will never send another action letter for any organization again!!!
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Foolish. Duped by NRCD.
May 25, 2011
I am glad that NRDC does what it does. With their teams of lawyers, scientists, policy experts, and fundraisers, they are able to fight the good fight against private industry, and government, when their practices are hurting the environment. Through the use of litigation, and strategic partnerships, awareness is raised and change happens.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Receiving the monthly NRDC magazine, emails, and the annual report, provide me with important information about current threats to our environment and the work that NRDC is doing to prevent those threats from become a further reality. Being a member of NRDC has raised my awareness, and because of that, it has raised my level of interest in these issues.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Increase its membership and lobbying power.
March 13, 2011
NRDC is one of my favorite environmental groups. It is respected worldwide and when they go into the courts, you can count on them being thorough and very effective. They are an organization that most aspire to in their honesty and ethics. I am a proud member of NRDC and have been for over 20 yrs. They choose their battles wisely and fight with intelligence supported by tons of research and documentation. I am glad they are on OUR side when it comes to protecting the earth and all species from humans. It is through their good work that the big conglomerates who continuesly fight NRDC are able to because NRDC has kept them healthy with clean air, water and habitats!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I think we all have experienced the results of NRDC with our clean water, healthy watersheds, vibrant wildlife habitat and breathable air. Without NRDC, this world would be in a much sorrier state than we already are! When will everyone realize that we all SHARE one earth???
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
The only change that I would make would be for them to have unlimited funds that would allow them to really fight for the people, habitats, animals: winged, finned, hooved, flippered, two-footed, four-footed and web-toed and all the biogems of the world.
April 23, 2009
This organization is hands down the best for organizing a collective voice to protect our earth. The NRDC does everything right- they pick the right battles, use the right strategies, communicate clearly and effectively with their constituents and make a difference. As a fundraiser and grass roots organizer, I aspire to the standards the NRDC lives up to.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Their consistent communications. The NRDC provides continually updates on every on everyy front so I am constantly reminded of their efffectiveness.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The opportunity to get involved and make an impact on the isssues most important to me. And they make it fast and easy!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Save our planet from ourselves again, and again. Or more likely make serious progress in the greening of China and the US.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
April 19, 2009
I worked with NRDC in my capacity as an employee of another environmental organization and found them to be one the most effective national green groups. They have sound strategy and a powerful network of spokespeople, which enables them to get things done. A very savvy operation.
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very sharp, better understood how to use the media to get their message out than many other environmental groups.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2006
April 9, 2009
The NRDC is an organization that is a positive and effective voice in environmental policy. They have a great website where they keep you updated on government issues dealing with the environment. You can send messages to your representatives through their site. It's very easy, and from looking at results, also has an impact. They also have plenty of information on how to improve your own personal environmental choices and how to get involved in your community. They are highly rated by organizations such as Charity Navigator, so if you donate, you know your money is being spent correctly.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
making complex government issues easier to understand, being a true advocate for change in environmental policy, bringing a variety of ideas to the table on how to better our world both on a personal level and as a whole
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
it's easy to stay on top of environmental news and it's easy to get involved and donate
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
the communications I have received from the NRDC have been organized, intelligent, and have inspired me to act
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
continue it's great work in protecting our environment and advocating change in destructive policies which harm every living being
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews