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 closeup view of a grapevine with purple grapes hanging from it

Climate crisis pushes French winemakers to bet on warmer future in Brittany and Normandy

As rising temperatures reshape France's vineyards, winemakers are turning to Normandy and Brittany, regions once known for cider, not grapes.

A fire raging in the Amazon forest

For 50 years, Philip Fearnside has calculated the costs of losing the Amazon

For half a century, Philip Fearnside has documented how roads, dams, cattle ranching and other development projects drive Amazon deforestation and impose steep climate and biodiversity costs.

The ocean with the setting sun on the horizon

When ocean temperatures increase, so does child malnutrition on land

Researchers have discovered this troubling consequence of climate change, but they still don't know why it happens.
An air conditioning unit sitting next to a brick house

Experts say air conditioning saves many lives, but worsens climate change

A new study highlights the life-saving role of air conditioning. However, scientists warn it also contributes to climate change.
Two children sitting on the gravel, one smiling at the other

UN warns vulnerable children ‘falling through cracks’ in UK climate aid

Data from Unicef suggests climate risks faced by children are being overlooked by UK aid – as the UN agency prepares to launch a major campaign calling for children to be better prioritized by the Foreign Office

An elephant and a donkey figurine on a red platform with a blue background

Cross-party talks needed to tackle climate crisis, say Democrats

Andy Burnham urged to seek consensus over response to extreme heat and forthcoming ‘super El Niño’
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.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.