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 group of people with their hands waving holding an LGBTQ flag in the air

Climate activism is getting a glow-up in Pattie Gonia’s environmental drag tour

In one-of-a-kind performances, drag queens and kings call for the for the protection of the planet — and all people.

A toddler holding a French flag standing next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Heatwaves in France cause around 5,400 deaths a year. Vulnerable communities are hit first

Two studies warn of the health impact of heatwaves in France, with worsening risks in poorly adapted housing and the most deprived areas.
An illustration with orange colored liquid balls that look like bubbles

Shape-shifting liquid stores energy, releasing it on demand

Northwestern chemists created a liquid that morphs into an energy-storing gel and resets with nothing but air — no metal, no plastic, no battery casing required.

A view of a Puerto Rican street with multicolored buildings and cars and the ocean in the far distance

Inside the US government's push to divert Puerto Rico solar funds to a bankrupt utility

Documents show the Department of Energy bypassed normal procedures to steer hundreds of millions of dollars in Puerto Rico energy resilience funding away from rooftop solar projects.

A view of a petrochemical plant with a skyline in the background

Increasingly fierce storms are coming for the Texas coast. Is the petrochemical industry ready?

Galveston County is home to 22 refineries and chemical plants. The level of emergency preparedness varies widely.
Coal price investment trading crash arrow representing a falling industry.
Credit: Sergey Chuyko/BigStock Photo ID: 323446435

Trump administration’s coal investments breathe new life into plants with repeated violations

At least three of the 12 coal plants the Trump administration funded have been repeatedly cited for violating environmental regulations, amplifying public-health concerns.
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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