Good News

Our top 5 good news stories of 2020

Because we could all use a little more cheer.

We can all agree that 2020 was a challenging year.


Good news feels hard to come by lately. And when you work in environmental news, it can seem even more rare.

Yet, the year was not without progress (yes, seriously!). Check out five good news stories from our newsroom that you may have missed below.

1. A Northeast US climate initiative has had a major side benefit—healthier children

Researchers estimate a climate effort in the Northeast U.S. helped the region reduce toxic air pollution and avoid hundreds of asthma and autism cases, preterm births, and low birth weights.

2. Roadmap points Europe toward safer, sustainable chemicals

EU Commission releases ambitious strategy for getting hormone-disrupting chemicals out of food, products, and packaging.

3. Solar power on the rise at US schools

Report finds an 81% increase in K-12 schools using solar power over the last 5 years.

4. Pittsburgh’s Black farmers work to grow a new future

A small group of new farmers have seeded a movement to change the local food industry.

5. Derrick Z. Jackson: A Rhode Island city gets serious about climate justice

In its climate action plan, Providence, Rhode Island, is giving frontline residents' health equal billing with carbon reduction. Other cities should pay attention.


Banner photo: Ebony Lunsford-Evans, owner of FarmerGirlEB in Pittsburgh, helps a customer. (Credit: Brian Cook)

Earth's worsening climate crisis demands immediate action

Scientists warn that Earth is entering a dangerous phase of the climate crisis, with record temperatures, emissions and population growth increasing the risk of societal collapse.

Damian Carrington reports for The Guardian.

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Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
Wildlife populations drop sharply as habitat loss continues
Credit: Wallula/Pixabay

Wildlife populations drop sharply as habitat loss continues

Global wildlife populations have declined by 73% over the past 50 years, primarily due to habitat destruction, a WWF report reveals.

Victoria Gill and Helen Briggs report for BBC.

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Florida’s homelessness crackdown complicates hurricane recovery

Anti-camping laws in Florida are making it harder for the state’s homeless population to access aid and shelter amid Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Rachel M. Cohen reports for Vox.

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Insurance costs squeeze commercial real estate as climate risks rise

Landlords and developers face mounting insurance premiums due to climate-related disasters, putting extra strain on an already struggling commercial real estate market.

Emily Flitter reports for The New York Times.

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toxic chemical flood releases
Credit: Healthy Gulf/Flickr

Contamination from flooded industrial sites during major hurricanes is a growing concern

The destructive force of hurricanes Helene and Milton have brought the risk of toxic industrial releases back to the fore.

James R. Elliott, Dominic Boyer and Phylicia Lee Brown write for The Conversation.

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Midwest eyed as safer business spot amid rising climate risks

As climate change intensifies, companies across various industries consider relocating to the Midwest, where climate-related risks are perceived to be lower.

Kristoffer Tigue reports for Inside Climate News.

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Western states could see significant carbon cuts with new energy transmission projects

A new report suggests 12 proposed electrical grid projects could drastically reduce carbon emissions across 14 Western states by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.

Alex Baumhardt reports for Oregon Capital Chronicle.

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From our Newsroom
Houston area has more than 100 unauthorized air pollution events already this year

Houston area has more than 100 unauthorized air pollution events already this year

An EHN analysis finds nearly half were related to flaring.

environmental justice

LISTEN: Mokshda Kaul on making the clean energy transition work for all

“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”

climate week NYC

Op-ed: Is plastic the biggest climate threat?

A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.

fracking pennsylvania cancer

Residents say Pennsylvania has failed communities after state studies linked fracking to child cancer

Last year Pennsylvania Department of Health studies showed increased risk of childhood cancer, asthma and low birth weights for people living near fracking. Advocates say not enough has been done since.

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

“Women, in all of their diversity, must be at the center of climate and energy decision-making.”

homelessness climate change

Op-ed: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance

The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.

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