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 person gesturing at another person with a court gavel in front of them

It just got way easier to sue fossil fuel companies over climate change

For years, industry has argued you can't prove which company caused which disaster. A new study says otherwise.
A path through low bushes with snowy hills in the background

Plant life in the warming Arctic alters lush knee-high jungle

Alaska's North Slope tundra may look desolate, but crouch down and you'll see a lush jungle. It's just so small, it's almost all below your knee.
A woman working with a laser in a lab

US companies are on the cusp of big climate solutions. Thank the government

The Department of Energy’s moonshot funding program is working. President Trump seems inclined to keep it.
A marina with boats and a forest and mountains in the background

Urban heat’s overlooked fix: Greening the land upwind of cities

A study published in Nature Cities suggests that forests placed strategically outside urban cores can lower temperatures across much of a city.
A black and white photo of a circular fan in a wall

Did climate change cause this heat wave? Most likely, and here's why

As the senior climate editor at NPR, when extreme weather impacts us, I often send out guidance to the newsroom to help everyone understand the role of climate change. Here's what I tell them.
An city park with a bike lane and walking trail lined with fall-colored trees

Trees are vital for cooler cities, but they need help too

Record-breaking heat and drought are putting urban trees at risk. Experts explain how to protect these essential assets and build city forests that can withstand the climate challenges ahead.
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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