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)

SEPTEMBER 28 2015: Businessman and presidential candidate Donald Trump held a press conference at Trump Tower to unveil his comprehensive tax reform plan.
Credit: andykatz/BigStock Photo ID: 103507385

Trump Administration sues California over tailpipe emissions limits

A lawsuit argues that the state’s regulations would illegally force a rapid transition to electric vehicles.
China renewable energy, wind and solar energy concept. Chinese flag superimposed with wind turbines and solar panels
Credit: Anton_Medvedev /BigStock Photo ID: 431444246

China may benefit from higher oil prices triggered by Iran war

Spiking oil prices may reveal how China has been more successful in electrifying its economy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels than the United States.
A missile being launched in the desert

The war with Iran is already about energy

The conflict in Iran is covered in oil with long-term environmental impacts.

"Balcony solar" — portable plug-in solar panel

Virginia to become second state that allows balcony solar

Residents of the state will soon be able to use the tech to lower their electricity bills. Gov. Spanberger has made affordability a top legislative priority.

Four wind turbines in a row standing in a flat brown field.

In rural West Texas, renewable energy brings a windfall for seniors

How officials in Crockett County are using wind investments to help older residents age in place.
Refinery and petrochemical industrial plant
Credit: Tee Theerapol/BigStock Photo ID: 60783539

Trump claims Indian investment will make long-standing plans for Brownsville refinery a reality

Plans for an oil refinery in Brownsville, Texas, stalled after a permit fight. Now the developer has rebranded as America First Refining.
Pair of red-capped, white-speckled, fungi

Long overlooked as crucial to life, fungi start to get their due

Fungi create soil, sequester vast amounts of carbon, and contribute $55 trillion to the global economy, but knowledge about them is scarce. Now, mycologists are pushing to get the international scientific community to recognize fungi on the same level as plants and animals.
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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