Good News for the Environment

Sustainable stories of progress for the planet

Blue and white solar panel with more panels behind on grass

Just 464 square miles can fully decarbonize energy for all of Australia — ditching fossil fuels forever, with zero harm to farms

As Australia’s rapid renewable energy rollout continues, so too does debate over land use. So how much land is needed to fully decarbonize energy in Australia?

New EPA regulations target air, water, land, and climate pollution from power plants, especially those that burn coal

Electric power generation in the U.S. is shifting rapidly away from fossil fuels toward cleaner and lower-carbon sources. State clean energy targets and dramatic declines in the cost of renewable electricity are the most important reasons.

Toilet paper takes a surprising toll on the environment, but eco-friendly alternatives are rolling out

Many large tissue makers are investing in improved technologies to lighten this impact. But emerging markets in the developing world, beyond the reach of environmental watchdogs, are raising alarms.

A female giant anteater roaming in a field with her baby on its back

Conservation good news: Giant anteaters are returning to south Brazil thanks to rewilding efforts

Recent giant anteater sightings in Rio Grande do Sul state indicate the species has returned to southern Brazil, where it had been considered extinct for more than a century.

A photo collage of a group of islands, a turtle, a truck full of coal, a ferret, and a container ship in the ocean

Good News This Week: May 25, 2024 - Turtles, Ferrets, & Clean Energy

Your weekly roundup of the best good news worth celebrating...

An ambulance drives down a tree-lined road with a cityscape in the background.

ER visits spike during heatwaves — but two simple measures could cut hospitalization rates in half

What’s white and green and cool all over? A city aided by science-based solutions that combat extreme heat.

An overhead view of a cargo ship on water, with multi-colored peices of cargo.

Cargo ship emissions cut 17% in new trials — all thanks to one shockingly simple change

Cargo ships guzzle fuel, especially when they’re left idling at ports, unable to offload their goods. An incredibly easy solution could change that.

A veterinarian at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute holds six black-footed ferret kits in their hands

New litter of endangered black-footed ferrets born in DC — and you can livestream them cuddling

Once thought to be extinct, black-footed ferrets are making a comeback.

A photo collage of a bison, an aerial view of a wide field, Narcan's packaging, a person wearing a hard hat looking at an electric grid from a distance, and a poster advocating for violence against women

Good News This Week: May 18, 2024 - Bison, Fundraisers, & Maternal Heath

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Two photos: On the left, Billie Eilish smiles while holding up a blue vinyl record. On the right: An orange bus from LA Metro displays an electric sign that reads "What was I made for?"

Billie Eilish covers public transit costs for LA fans, bolstering 'sustainable pop star' cred

Debuting her new album "Hit Me Hard and Soft," Billie Eilish provided fee-free public transit to fans for a listening party in Los Angeles.

A horned, brown European bison photographed against a snowy backdrop in Ukraine, with a tree branch in the forefront.

Study finds that a herd of bison could help store the CO2 equivalent of 40K cars — here's how

A Yale study found that rewilding a herd of bison helped store 54 thousand tons of carbon annually, highlighting how animals play a significant role in carbon capture.

Solar panels on a shed with a blue sky behind them

Illinois just gave $1.6 million to 'justice-focused' community solar projects

Backers see the projects as a key tool to expand economic opportunities to BIPOC communities while supporting the growth of clean energy in the Chicago area.