Credit: Cliff Morris

Our top 5 good news stories of 2022

There is hope.

As we look back on the past year, let's remember progress, solutions and optimism on the environmental front.

Here are five stories from our newsroom over the past year that give us hope for the future.

1. Can "Blue Zones" be a solution to environmental injustice?

Reporter Ashley James explores a novel idea from one Virginia community to address environmental racism.

2. Jennifer Roberts on nature as medicine

Are you listening to our Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast? If not, you're missing out. In one of our favorite episodes this year, Dr. Jennifer D. Roberts joined to discuss nature as medicine for our physical and mental health.

See all past episodes here and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

3. Colorado is the first state to ban PFAS in oil and gas extraction

$PFAS in fracking$

This was a big deal. Reporter Kristina Marusic explores how Colorado became the first state to ban the use of PFAS in the extraction of oil and gas.

This story wasn't a one-off: states and companies are taking the lead on PFAS as the federal government drags its feet. Two other examples:

4. Solar power at Pennsylvania schools doubled during the pandemic

Pennsylvania remains synonymous with oil and gas — but, as Kristina Marusic found, there's a solar movement going on at schools.

5. Replacing environmental despair with hope and action

Cielo Sharkus, a senior fellow with the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice program, lays out a roadmap to remaining positive and action-oriented on environmental issues.

Have a good news story tip? We want to hear about it, write us at feedback@ehn.org.

Our top 5 good news stories of 2022

There is hope.

1. Can "Blue Zones" be a solution to environmental injustice?

2. Jennifer Roberts on nature as medicine

3. Colorado is the first state to ban PFAS in oil and gas extraction

4. Solar power at Pennsylvania schools doubled during the pandemic

5. Replacing environmental despair with hope and action

Trump administration escalates push to discredit mainstream climate science

Wildland firefighters face growing health crisis from toxic smoke exposure

Climate change drives global mental health crisis in vulnerable communities

New IRS rule makes it harder for wind and solar farms to qualify for tax credits

Gas emissions from a California landfill fuel health crisis and community outrage

Congressional Republicans push to reverse Postal Service electric vehicle plans

Tariffs and extreme weather push Midwest farmers to the brink

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.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

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

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.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.