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)

A wooden hut located on a hill with small children playing in the dirt in front of it

Climate-resilient housing models slow to gain ground in disaster-prone Bangladesh

In one of the world’s most climate sensitive deltas, disasters are on the rise. The need for resilient housing has become a significant concern for Bangladesh.

An illustration of a solar panel standing over a wheat field

The battle over solar on farmland

Agrivoltaics is either a green revolution or a poison pill for good land. Depends which farmers you ask.
An illustration of donald trump looking at the viewer

4 ways Trump is sabotaging climate action around the world

In just one year, Trump has derailed an international carbon tax, boosted fossil fuel forecasts, and sought to silence an island nation.
Homes in a dry landscape with wildfire smoke billowing in the background

Even low-risk homes are caught up in California’s climate insurance crisis

California’s insurer of last resort is meant for high fire risk properties but homeowners in areas unlikely to burn are now being forced into the plan.

Oil and gas flaring in a desert landscape with black smoke billowing into the sky

Iran war should trigger faster exit from fossil fuel dependence, UN climate chief says

The war in Iran has exposed the dangers of relying on volatile oil and gas markets, United Nation climate secretary Simon Stiell says.

Clock approaching midnight superimposed over a world map
Credit: chughes/ BigStock Photo ID: 20162111

'Doomsday Clock' advances to 85 seconds to midnight

A science-oriented advocacy group moved its “Doomsday Clock” to 85 seconds to midnight, saying the Earth is closer than ever to destruction.
Symbol of law and justice, law and justice concept, scales of justice.
Credit: vladek/BigStock Photo ID: 46192432

The latest front in the battle over climate lawsuits: bills wiping out liability

Republican lawmakers are advancing legislation that would shield major polluters from legal accountability for climate change harms.
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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