Good News

Our top 5 good news stories of 2020

Because we could all use a little more cheer.

We can all agree that 2020 was a challenging year.


Good news feels hard to come by lately. And when you work in environmental news, it can seem even more rare.

Yet, the year was not without progress (yes, seriously!). Check out five good news stories from our newsroom that you may have missed below.

1. A Northeast US climate initiative has had a major side benefit—healthier children

Researchers estimate a climate effort in the Northeast U.S. helped the region reduce toxic air pollution and avoid hundreds of asthma and autism cases, preterm births, and low birth weights.

2. Roadmap points Europe toward safer, sustainable chemicals

EU Commission releases ambitious strategy for getting hormone-disrupting chemicals out of food, products, and packaging.

3. Solar power on the rise at US schools

Report finds an 81% increase in K-12 schools using solar power over the last 5 years.

4. Pittsburgh’s Black farmers work to grow a new future

A small group of new farmers have seeded a movement to change the local food industry.

5. Derrick Z. Jackson: A Rhode Island city gets serious about climate justice

In its climate action plan, Providence, Rhode Island, is giving frontline residents' health equal billing with carbon reduction. Other cities should pay attention.


Banner photo: Ebony Lunsford-Evans, owner of FarmerGirlEB in Pittsburgh, helps a customer. (Credit: Brian Cook)

Two hands clasping with money in their hands

Philippines climate protests spotlight whether money is reaching the most vulnerable

As world leaders meet for COP30 in Brazil, protests in the Philippines highlight how corruption and mismanagement can undermine efforts to fund climate resilience.

A view of the city of Belem in Brazil with huts by the ocean and skyscrapers in teh background

Newsom presents California as reliable partner at U.N. climate talks

Gov. Gavin Newsom is leading a California delegation to the U.N. climate conference in Brazil, positioning the state as a global climate leader despite lacking federal authority to negotiate international agreements.

Forest of Fontainbleau in France with green trees and ferns

France's Fontainebleau forest serves as ‘laboratory' for climate change adaptation

France’s historic Fontainebleau forest is confronting the realities of heatwaves, drought, and dying trees, while offering lessons in how woodlands can adapt to a warming planet.

A view of wind turbines situated along the ocean

China’s emissions level off as renewables surge, signaling possible peak

A new analysis finds China’s carbon emissions have been flat or falling for 18 months, driven by record solar and wind expansion and the rise of electric vehicles.

A beach with an oil refinery in the background

LA’s clean air future is being built by Black women

In Los Angeles, Black women organizers are driving a community-led push to shut down toxic oil wells that have long endangered their neighborhoods.

Refugees wading through floodwaters
Credit: Photo by Iqro Rinaldi on Unsplash

‘It will never be forgiven’: UN climate chief warns world to act or face disaster

Faltering governments will be blamed for famine and conflict abroad, and face stagnation and inflation at home, says climate chief at start of Cop30.

Flags of various nations fly on building

As U.S. and E.U. retreat on climate, China takes the leadership role

As U.N. talks get underway, China is emerging as a key leader in international climate efforts. It is empowering the global energy transition, and along with India and Brazil, is becoming the driving force in climate diplomacy and filling a vacuum left by the world’s rich nations. 
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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