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)

Aerial view of several rows of solar panels in a green field

COP31 host Türkiye is home to one of Europe's largest solar farms. Why can’t it kick coal?

As Türkiye prepares to host the UN climate summit, one critic describes the country's climate targets and policies as “critically insufficient”.
A yellow skid-steer loader in front of destroyed homes on January 13, 2013 in Lavallette, New Jersey in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy
Credit: Glynnis Jones/BigStock Photo ID: 41233060

Disaster-prone communities face cuts and slowdowns in federal help

The Trump administration is scaling back or stalling investments that help vulnerable places harden themselves to rising flood and fire threats.
A view of a large ocean wave breaking

Why the blue wave brings new hope for clean energy

While affordability and inflation were top of mind for voters, midterm results will also affect climate policy at virtually every level of government.

A group of red and blue stickers with "VOTE" and "VOTE TODAY" on them

What experts think the Democratic blue wave will mean for climate action

With a new majority in the House and Senate, here's what climate experts think Democrats will prioritize.
A view of a cellphone with the Meta logo on it with the facebook logo on the wall behind it

Oil companies spent over $2M on Meta ads in the lead-up to the midterms

A look at Meta’s social issues advertising database shows that Shell, Exxon, and Chevron have long outspent environmental groups.

A view from Portland, Oregon of a bridge with a big mountain in the background

Oregon judge allows Multnomah County climate lawsuit against fossil fuel giants to advance

Gas companies sought to have the climate case dismissed, saying state governments don't have the power to regulate their interstate pollution.
View of Tetiaroa from the lagoon on a cruise ship French Polynesia
Credit: Piccola/BigStock Photo ID: 195061267

How Marlon Brando’s private island inspired a plan to suck carbon pollution from the air

A pristine atoll in the Pacific Ocean is the birthplace of a technology that could help solve a problem created far beyond its sandy shores.

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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