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 with green grass and 'H2' hovering above the ground

Germany's green hydrogen industry is running out of time

Germany’s green hydrogen sector is struggling to scale up as demand remains far below expectations, leaving manufacturers with excess capacity and mounting financial strain.

Person in yellow shirt starts controlled forest fire

The U.S. Forest Service is falling further behind on wildfire prevention

President Donald Trump and his top Cabinet officials have repeatedly blamed catastrophic wildfires on poor forest management. His administration, however, appears to be lagging on that very work.

A row of solar panels stretching across a green landscape

Portugal’s proposed Sophia solar park sparks backlash over environmental and community impacts

A massive solar park planned for the Beira Baixa region of Portugal has drawn intense opposition from municipalities and environmental groups, who warn the project’s scale could irreversibly damage landscapes, habitats and local livelihoods despite the developer’s assurances of mitigation measures.

A rocket being launched into space with smoke and flames

Scientists warn of emissions risks from the surge in satellites

With hundreds of satellites launched each year and tens of thousands more planned, scientists are increasingly concerned about an emerging problem: emissions from the fuels burned in launches and from the pollutants released when satellites and rocket stages flame out on reentry.
The capitol building in Harrisburg PA

Pennsylvania bailed on a carbon market to appease Republicans

Governor Josh Shapiro pulled of the the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in exchange for a budget. Critics say he “got rolled.”
arroyo in the arid Southwest canyon country with water running through it

WOTUS ‘wet season’ test would further shrink US regulatory reach

The Trump administration proposal offers an option for regulating only perennial waters, excluding a vast network of freshwater streams.
ocean waves near city buildings during daytime

Hurricane season is over. Here's why the US never got hit

For the first time in a decade, the U.S. avoided landfall, thanks to an atmospheric anomaly. But this hurricane season was exceptional in other bad ways, too.

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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