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 pile of sandbags helping to keep waves from flooding the beach

Trump’s cuts have exposed US to ‘cascade’ of El Niño dangers, experts warn

Trump has taken an axe to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, stalling climate research on and response to extreme weather events.

A group of four wooden cubes with letters spelling FACT and FAKE

‘Hybrid weapon of war’: Why climate disinformation could be a growing public health threat

WHO member states are being urged to recognize climate disinformation as a public health threat as vested interests attempt to “sow doubt and confusion”.

A view of a downtown in a small town

New Mexico off track for 2030 greenhouse gas goal, environment official says

At its current rate, New Mexico won't hit its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, an environment official told lawmakers.
A view of the tail of a whale sticking out of the water as the whale dives

Why whales are climate heroes — who also need our protection

A leading marine scientist and conservation strategist explores the surprising relationship between whales, ocean health, and climate change — and what their recovery can teach us about protecting the planet.

The exterior of a house with a window air conditioner installed

As extreme heat worsens, renters are gaining a 'right to cooling'

New laws are treating cooling as a necessity rather than a luxury, though what landlords must provide varies widely.
A person walking into a boat ramp off a rocky shore in the wilderness

Alaska Senate candidates rarely mention climate change, but they talk a lot about fish

Global warming is contributing to fisheries decline and opposition to oil and gas development.
Illustration of blue-tinged mule facing off with red-tinged elephant indicating political faceoff

Conservative climate movement faces a blue wave wipeout

Environmental advocates are mapping out how to rebuild in anticipation of big Republican losses.

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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