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 photo of snow-capped French alps during the golden hour

Heatwave in France: 2026 sets record for rockfalls in the Alps

The summer of 2026 saw an unprecedented wave of landslides in the French Alps, especially around Mont Blanc, driven by extreme heat and thawing permafrost.
Three small vials of blood two with red caps and one with a blue cap

How climate change is messing with your blood

Our blood chemistry is changing as carbon emissions rise, reveals a new study.
An overhead view of eight protein powder packages

As whey gains, will dairy’s footprint follow?

At the center of protein maxxing, whey products require energy-intensive processing and emissions-intensive milk and cheese production, with climate consequences if unchecked.
Two women planting cacao seeds in bags under a greenhouse roof

Filipino cacao growers learn to live with a hotter climate

In “Chocolates Melting Away”, Breech Asher Harani explores how cacao growers in the Philippines are developing new techniques to protect their crops from increasingly turbulent weather.

A roof with broken solar panels on it

Trashed solar panels will be a treasure worth up to $1 trillion

A huge new study charted 1,708 recycling scenarios across 32 regions and found a way to turn a looming waste crisis into a circular-economy windfall.
Children sitting in a classroom with books on their desks

How Florida quietly removed climate change content from textbooks

Publishers acceded to Florida's requests, watering down information on climate change’s impact; now the state has turned to updating its science standards.

View of a beige farm field with green trees in the background

As Europe bakes, momentum grows for climate-resilient farming

With Britain about to record its hottest summer yet, Sam Squier's nearly 200-acre beef farm in south east England stands out as a lush, green oasis surrounded by scorched brown fields.
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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