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)

Sick African American man coughing holding paper napkin near mouth suffering from respiratory ailment
Credit: Prostock-studio/BigStock Photo ID: 400400966

In coal country, black lung surges as federal protections stall

While President Trump is directing hundreds of millions of dollars to coal projects, miners in Appalachia are suffering from a resurgence of black lung disease. But industry pushback has indefinitely delayed federal rules that would reduce miners’ exposure to deadly silica dust. 
Loaded container ship on open sea belching black smoke

US mounts new bid to block shipping carbon tax

The Trump administration has been circulating flyers at this week’s gathering of the International Maritime Organization.
A tin hut with a small solar panel on the roof
Credit: mrnovel/Big Stock Photo ID: 185284450

Africa's clean energy transition is linked to growing lead exposure concerns

Africa's transition to cleaner energy is adding to concerns over lead poisoning from batteries used to store solar power.
Donald Trump pointing finger and gesturing in a threatening manner
Credit: andykatz/BigStock Photo ID: 103507385

Trump takes a ‘wrecking ball’ to independent scientific advisory board

Without the impartial oversight of its board, the National Science Foundation is now “fully at the behest of the White House,” experts warn.
Damaged houses along a beach

Major hurricanes in the Northeast are rare. Could climate change make them common?

A Category 4 hurricane making direct landfall on New York City could cause as much as $500 billion in insured damage.
A couple of warehouses viewed from above

California will soon have more than 300 data centers. Where will they get their water?

Satisfying the thirst of 24 more facilities expected to open in the state will be challenging, experts and officials say.

A view of water and ships at sunset with a wind turbine in the background

Washington’s latest emissions report shows small decline

Officials see progress, but critics say the state is not on course to hit a pollution reduction target in 2030.

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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