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 woman shielding her face from the sun

During heatwaves, 'significant deterioration in physiological and cognitive functions occurs'

In an interview, explorer Christian Clot explains how our bodies and brains cope with episodes of extreme heat.
A view of a bridge stretching across a river

‘The Earth itself was screaming out’

A Canadian oil and gas company wants to continue operating its Michigan pipeline for 99 more years; tribes and climate groups are pushing back.

A view of energy lines with a small oil pump jack in a sandy field

California’s carbon storage began before rules were written

California’s first commercial carbon-burial project is underway, even though the state has yet to adopt rules required by law.
A view of a street in a European city with the setting sun in the background

France and UK prepare for another heat wave as western Europe sets new temperature record

The U.K. and France are bracing for the fifth heat wave of the season, adding to an intense stretch of hot weather that has repeatedly sent temperatures soaring across Europe since May.
An aerial view of the Great Salt Lake

After a slow start, Utah is upgrading its system to track Great Salt Lake dust

As the Great Salt Lake dips down toward historic lows, a new network of air quality monitors is taking shape to help measure dust.
Girl looking out of her window in the city
Credit:
A. C.
/Unsplash+

Climate change may be making us lonelier. How heat waves and extreme weather disrupt social connections

As extreme weather becomes more common and disruptive, the effects can impair relationships, interrupt routines and communication, and damage gathering places and the foundations of community traditions.
An aerial image of part of the earth with clouds visible

Track how extreme this year’s El Nino could get

A key zone of the Pacific Ocean is already at record warmth. See how rising sea temperatures could impact global weather. These forecasts will be updated regularly.
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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