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)

A rustic outhouse with a crescent moon in the door

The world ditched wasteful toilets, the US stayed behind

US toilets use far more water than many of their global counterparts. President Donald Trump is pushing to loosen water pressure standards, a move critics say would increase waste.
A person kicking a soccer ball into a goal

The 2026 men’s World Cup could be the dirtiest ever

The sprawling North American tournament could generate 9 million metric tons of climate-warming pollution, a report found.
A row of wind turbines on dry hills

Wyoming electric utility dumps wind and solar in long-term planning

PacifiCorp’s previous upward trajectory for renewable energy will flatline beyond 2027 while its forecasted greenhouse emissions will rise.

A red, white and green Hungarian flag waving in the wind

Hungary election promises renewable energy investment and foreign factory crackdowns

Orbán, who once described EU climate ambitions as a 'utopian fantasy', has been replaced by Péter Magyar.
A wind turbine towering over a forest

Blowin’ in the wind: how Nordic countries made electricity free

As wind and hydropower flood Nordic grids, electricity prices are plunging and offering a glimpse of a cheaper energy future.
A person sitting in front of a woodstove

Does burning wood actually fight climate change?

Despite industry claims, scientists say using wood pellets is little better than fossil fuels.
A view of a large petrochemical plant with the sunset in the background

Iran war exposes dependence on petrochemicals

Disruptions from the Iran war are exposing how deeply petrochemicals — made from fossil fuels — are embedded in everyday products and global supply chains.

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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