Summer 2027 Climate Mobility Intern

Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.•Washington, DC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions. Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.). Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org. Our interns play an active role on the front lines of the environmental movement. Over the course of an internship, NRDC interns work with lawyers, scientists, or policy analysts in different program areas and amass experience that they could not have obtained anywhere else. Interns also have access to various events to enhance their NRDC experience. NRDC interns may support or work on: Research, data collection, and analysis Writing and developing materials for state and federal campaigns Supporting with designing equitable policy solutions Copywriting and editing social media posts and supporting on marketing campaigns Brainstorming opportunities for process improvements, new vendors, partnerships, and engagement Project management of department and team-wide initiatives You can find examples of work by our interns on our Careers Page.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in a graduate program
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently
Initiative, proactiveness, and creativity
Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles

Responsibilities

Examine how U.S. state and municipal governments address climate mobility, with a particular focus on community-centered planned relocation.
Identify and analyze relevant policies, plans, programs, and implementation practices through desk research and stakeholder consultations.
Assess the objectives and drivers of these efforts; the extent to which equity, community leadership, and public participation are incorporated; and the governance structures, funding mechanisms, and implementation responsibilities that support them.
Identify jurisdictions that are considering or developing future climate mobility and planned relocation initiatives.
Produce a searchable policy database, a written analysis of findings and trends, and a presentation summarizing key insights and recommendations.