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)

An overhead view of a table filled with meats, fish, poultry, and eggs

New US dietary guidelines worsen carbon emissions

Updated federal dietary guidelines finally take on ultra-processed junk food — but the push for more animal protein quietly erases every environmental gain, and then some.

A small child under a green umbrella against a chalkboard with a rainbow and sun and rain on it

Vet student teaches youth how climate change impacts wildlife and human health

Veterinary medicine student Mikayla Astroff earned a Starfish Canada 2026 Climate 75 Fellowship for her work helping youth understand the impacts of climate change on our ecosystems.
A dentist showing a patient his xrays

Driving sustainability in dentistry

Dentistry has a role to play in reducing environmental impact while improving the oral health of the population.

A doctor working on a laptop

Sustainability can drive innovation and competitiveness in healthcare

Healthcare is increasingly being asked to square a difficult circle: deliver care without contributing to the environmental pressures driving disease in the first place.

A brown leaf surrounded by melting snow

Montana snowpack rapidly melted in May

Throughout May, warm temperatures across Montana led to a rapid melt off of the state’s snowpack, which sits “largely below 50% of median,” as of June 1.

An illustration of a car made out of green grass with a plug icon in the center

COP31 leaders unveil global targets, with spotlight on electrification

The two countries set to lead this year’s COP31 have unveiled three headline goals for November’s UN climate summit - on electrification, waste, and buildings.

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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