1. By Linda Tucker

2.  The Natural Resources Defense Council's purpose is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends.  Founded in 1970  1.3 million members and online activists

3.  Curbing global warming and creating the clean energy future  Reviving the world's oceans  Defending endangered wildlife and wild places  Protecting our health by preventing pollution  Ensuring safe and sufficient water  Fostering sustainable communities

5.  Staff of over 400 scientists, lawyers, and policy experts  Presence in centers of government, manufacturing, finance, environmental innovation, and entertainment  Group of supporters

6.  Clean car standards raised to 54.5 mpg  Better mercury standards  Nuclear waste disposal court win  Ending overfishing in federal oceans  Completing the last piece of the California Underwater Park Network