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)

Climate change extreme heat
Credit: Marc A. Hermann/Metropolitan Transportation Authority

An architect behind Project 2025 minimizes the climate crisis

At a New York Times Climate Forward event, Heritage Foundation president Kevin D. Roberts downplayed the dangers of climate change, calling it a “hot year” and dismissing long-term global warming trends.

Coral Davenport reports for The New York Times.

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Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

Storm-driven floods in Central Europe are increasingly fueled by climate change

A new study found human-caused climate change doubled the likelihood of the extreme rainfall behind recent floods in Central Europe, which killed 24 people and damaged critical infrastructure.

Suman Naishadham reports for The Associated Press.

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Governments urged to set clean energy mandates to trigger positive tipping points

Policymakers could accelerate the global transition to clean energy by setting regulatory mandates with specific deadlines, leading to positive cascading effects in related sectors, according to new research.

Damien Gayle reports for The Guardian.

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Home insurance prices are rising due to climate disasters and shaping commissioner elections

As climate change fuels natural disasters and skyrocketing insurance premiums, voters are paying more attention to state insurance commissioner races, a once-overlooked office that regulates these markets.

Jesse Nichols reports for Grist.

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Cities face water shortages due to overuse and climate change

As rising temperatures and overuse strain global water supplies, cities like Bogotá and Mexico City are imposing strict water restrictions to stave off further depletion.

Tanya Petach and Kaitlin Sullivan report for Yale Climate Connections.

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How US presidential candidates' climate policies could impact food and farming

The 2024 election pits Kamala Harris’ clean energy initiatives against Donald Trump’s pro-fossil fuel stance, both offering vastly different outcomes for the future of climate and agriculture.

Christina Cooke reports for Civil Eats.

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Germany faces an uphill battle to block EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles

Germany's bid to prevent the European Union from imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles is likely to fail ahead of a decisive vote, which could spark a trade conflict with China.

Giovanna Coi, Douglas Busvine, and Koen Verhelst report for POLITICO.

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From our Newsroom
environmental justice

LISTEN: Mokshda Kaul on making the clean energy transition work for all

“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”

climate week NYC

Op-ed: Is plastic the biggest climate threat?

A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.

fracking pennsylvania cancer

Residents say Pennsylvania has failed communities after state studies linked fracking to child cancer

Last year Pennsylvania Department of Health studies showed increased risk of childhood cancer, asthma and low birth weights for people living near fracking. Advocates say not enough has been done since.

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

“Women, in all of their diversity, must be at the center of climate and energy decision-making.”

homelessness climate change

Op-ed: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance

The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.

U.S. Steel Pennsylvania pollution

As Biden prepares to block the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, pollution concerns persist in Pennsylvania

“Pennsylvania steel communities have lived with dangerous air quality for generations. That needs to end.”

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