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)

House on stilts precariously positioned next to ocean in Rodanthe, North Carolina

Study says millions more are exposed to rising seas than thought

A new study in the journal Nature says most sea level rise research may have underestimated coastal water heights by an average of 1 foot or about 30 centimeters.
Massive fire explosion close up in military combat and war. Vehicle explosion from a tank in a city in the Middle East.

War and uncertainty cloud Trump’s AI pledge rollout

Even without war, experts in energy markets expressed doubt that the tech companies’ promises can check fast-rising electricity prices.
A view of the side of a warehouse building with the blue sky in the background

Arizona’s water is drying up. That won't stop its data center rush

Though tech companies are secretive about water usage, Arizona’s 150-plus data centers and chip factories use a tiny fraction of its supply.
illustration of large rechargeable lithium-ion battery energy storage stationary for renewable electric power station generation.
Credit: petovarga/BigStock Photo ID: 357758258

Tesla’s secret weapon is a giant metal box

Elon Musk’s car company is quietly poised to power the AI boom.
Hand holding sign: "THE CLIMATE IS CHANGING SO WHY ISN'T THE SYSTEM?"

Climate deniers expected more resistance to Trump’s fossil fuel blitz

‘I’ve never seen anything like this,” longtime denier Marc Morano said recently of climate action advocates going ‘silent’ on the issue.
A man silhouetted against a darkening sky with smokestacks in the distance

In New Mexico, natural gas transporter goes to the mat over $47.8 million fine

New Mexico has spent $225,000 in staff time fighting Targa over emission infractions, some that the company reported itself.

A small river winding through a dry environment

Falling Amazon river flows trigger reality check at Brazilian power plant

Brazil bet big on a mega river dam using old data, but climate change is leaving its massive turbines high and dry.
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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