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 view of a speaker at a conference from the back of the room

Indigenous health can't be separated from environmental health, leaders tell UN

Indigenous leaders at a UN forum linked climate change, mining, and deforestation to health crises, urging coordinated land rights action.

An offshore oil rig in the ocean

Trump administration sued for approving first BP project in Gulf of Mexico since Deepwater Horizon disaster

The suit alleges that BP failed to prove it has the capacity to drill safely; the plaintiffs say the project will be in riskier waters and drill deeper underground than the Deepwater Horizon.

A person holding a peach in their hands with a tree in the background

Opinion: Farming with hope in the age of climate change

In California’s Central Valley, Nikiko Masumoto reckons with the future of growing in an increasingly hot world.
An overhead view of a jar of coins on a yellow background

The best climate change charities for 2025 and 2026

The climate emergency threatens all of humanity, and although the world has started to make some progress on it, our global response is still extremely lacking.

A group of three women laughing together
Credit: A. C./Unsplash+

In climate change fight, doomerism is out. Laughter is in

Across the world, groups of activists, teachers and psychologists are tackling one of the world’s most daunting problems with laughter, dancing, hugs and most especially joy.

A man and woman in a grocery store looking at produce

The Green New Deal has evolved. Now it's all about 'affordability'

A new "working-class climate agenda" seeks to provide economic relief and tackle global warming at the same time.

Solar panels with wind turbines in the background

AI trained on 13,000 virtual worlds predicts renewable energy future

A new, AI-powered model beats the International Energy Agency's forecasts — and it says 2°C is still on the table.

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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