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 man welding a piece of metal onto a boat

Extreme heat costs poorest workers their health and wages

When temperatures soar across Asia's cities, informal workers face a choice: risk their health or lose their income. For many, the effects don't end when the workday is over.
A view of electricity towers with blue wires stretching into the distance against a red sky during sunset

The state that's beating dirty electricity

Abundant sunshine and smart policy have made New Mexico’s grid far more climate-friendly. 
A large storm front approaching a beach from the ocean, with a danger sign in the foreground

Opinion: Why local action is key to surviving America's climate crisis

The decisions we each make every day, particularly how we use energy, influence whether the weather becomes more extreme. 
Rows of solar panels stretching up a hill toward a farm field

Virginia lays groundwork to combine more solar with farming

A new state law aims to spur agrivoltaics projects where crops or livestock thrive amid solar panels, as AI power demand booms and concerns about farmland loss rise.

A view from below of a power cooling tower against a blue sky

Georgia Power breaks ground on natural gas expansion at Plant Bowen despite air pollution concerns

Officials praised the expansion as a step toward energy reliability and a stronger economy, but advocates worry air pollution could increase in Atlanta.
A view of green hills with cattle grazing on them with wind turbines in the background

Central Washington farmland eyed for energy and data center projects

Klickitat County, which is roughly the size of Delaware and has about 24,300 residents, is also an epicenter in the region’s battles over clean energy facilities and more recently, data centers.

Newly built brick houses with solar panels

Solar powers record share of Britain’s electricity mix in July

Farms and rooftop panels contribute 14.4% to the grid — and figures reveal a surge in new installations.

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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