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 dried up lakebed with a shack at one end

Scientists link fossil fuel producers to the West’s worsening water shortages

A new study blames 122 companies for contributing to severe drought in the Western United States.

A view of the setting sun with ocean water in the foreground

Opinion: Believe what you are seeing and feeling — the climate is changing

Nearly all climate scientists believe that climate warming has occurred as the result of human activities, but do you see it and feel it, plainly? Do you believe it?

An aerial view of a wastewater plant

Researchers may have solved wastewater's climate problem

Scientists expected their artificial floating wetland to help only after cleaning the water. Instead, greenhouse gas emissions dropped months earlier, and nobody is sure exactly why.
An illustration of a geothermal power plant

A clean energy source is buried under the desert, but it takes water to use it

Geothermal companies face tough tradeoffs over water as they aim to power the data center buildout in Western states.

Two towers at a coal power plant

How Trump’s repeal of the greenhouse gas rule could increase emissions from Georgia

Advocates in Georgia warn a Trump administration rollback on climate standards for power plants will increase greenhouse gas emissions. 
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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