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)

An illustration of a glass bottle floating in water with the word HELP inside of it.

FEMA workers say mismanagement under Trump puts disaster response at risk

More than 180 Federal Emergency Management Agency employees have warned Congress that mismanagement and unqualified leadership under the Trump administration are undermining the agency’s ability to respond to disasters.

Brianna Sacks reports for The Washington Post.

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An offshore wind farm viewed from the shore during sunset.

Trump administration blocks key offshore wind projects, citing vague national security concerns

The Trump administration has abruptly halted multiple offshore wind projects, including the nearly completed $6.2 billion Revolution Wind farm, citing unspecified national security concerns and throwing the industry into turmoil.

Brad Plumer and Lisa Friedman report for The New York Times.

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An aerial view of a river system with brown water.

China fuels Southeast Asia’s clean energy and pollution at the same time

Chinese firms are driving renewable energy development across Southeast Asia, but their expanding presence in mining and heavy industry is triggering pollution, health concerns, and political friction across the region.

David Hutt reports for Deutsche Welle.

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Flowers adorn a wicker coffin at a celebration of life.

More Americans are choosing natural burials to minimize environmental impact

Green burials, which avoid embalming fluids and synthetic caskets, are gaining ground across the U.S. as environmentally conscious Americans seek simpler, lower-impact alternatives to conventional funeral practices.

Paula Span reports for The New York Times.

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A sunset view of a factory with smokestacks billowing smoke.

China will set hard emission limits for polluting industries starting in 2027

China plans to cap carbon emissions from major industries by 2027, transitioning from intensity-based rules to absolute limits as it ramps up efforts to cut greenhouse gases.

Colleen Howe reports for Reuters.

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Olive branch with a few green olives on it

Wine, olive oil, and produce prices climb as southern Europe’s farms struggle with drought and heat

Southern European farmers are investing heavily in climate adaptations as rising temperatures, droughts, and extreme weather threaten long-established crops like grapes, olives, and citrus.

Sarah Butler reports for The Guardian.

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A view of the Colorado River winding through a dry rocky landscape.

Colorado River talks stall as low water, rising heat force urgent reckoning

Federal officials warn of power loss at Lake Powell as water levels continue to fall and states struggle to reach agreement on a new Colorado River allocation formula.

Allen Best reports for Colorado Newsline.

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From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

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