butterfly

Our top 5 good news stories of 2021

It's not all doom and gloom.

As we reflect on the past year, let's remember the good — the people, communities, ideas, and science that are creating a more healthy and sustainable planet.


The environment can be a depressing beat. But here are the top five good news stories from our newsroom over the past year that remind us there is hope.

1. The pesticide ban movement gains momentum

pesticide ban

Cities and counties are increasingly banning toxic pesticides—and some are taking aim at fertilizers.

2. A Listen Into Landscape

good news podcast

A series of audio postcards spotlighting peace, place, and connection to landscape from the perspective of those working in nature.

3. How artificial intelligence can help save us from air pollution

artificial intelligence

Researchers find AI may outperform traditional models, which could give more advance warning of bad air days, and reduce harmful exposures and hospital visits.

4. From butterfly wings to shrimp claws: Mimicking nature on the nanoscale

green chemistry

Innovators look to biomimicry to address sustainability challenges.

5. Planting a million trees in the semi-arid desert to combat climate change

planting trees

Tucson's ambitious tree planting goal aims to improve the health of residents, wildlife, and the watershed.

Have a good news story tip? We want to hear about it, write us at feedback@ehn.org.

Banner photo: Metalmark Butterfly. (Credit: Andreas Kay/flickr)

A prairie farm field with a tractor

Can climate change help farmers on the Prairies?

A changing climate, and prolonged drought in many regions, has had a surprising impact for some farmers: better yields.

Two African women walking away from Lake Victoria with buckets on their heads

Kenyan women defy fishing taboos as climate change threatens Lake Victoria

In a lakeside village in Kenya's Kisumu County, women were forbidden from fishing, until Rhoda Ongoche Akech defied the stigma.

A closeup view of the top of a wind turbine

Can renewables withstand our worsening climate?

Renewables have been touted as the silver bullet to tackling climate change, but can they withstand our warming planet?
A burned landscape with blackened soil

Wildfires make soil poisonous

New research shows that intense wildfires can transform naturally occurring chromium in soil into a carcinogenic form that lingers in air and groundwater for years.

The front steps of the Supreme Court of the US

Leaked memos show Supreme Court ignored climate dangers in Obama regs fight

Conservative justices focused on industry costs when blocking the Clean Power Plan, the first climate rule proposed for the power sector.
China renewable energy, wind and solar energy concept. Chinese flag with wind turbines and solar panels.
Credit: Anton_Medvedev/BigStock Photo ID: 431444246

Escape route from Iran energy shock leads to China, US allies find

Countries are navigating between the desire to speed up the green transition and worries over Beijing’s clean-tech dominance.
Aerial view of Colorado River and Glen Canyon Dam

US Interior Department unveils emergency plans for Colorado River

The Trump administration will pull its emergency levers to head off a major water and power crisis.
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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