Good News for the Environment

Sustainable stories of progress for the planet

A pile of microplastics in various colors

Micro-solutions to microplastics: 4 ways cities and states are legislating away the plastic crisis

While U.S. and global solutions seem far off, policies to limit harm from microplastics are gaining traction at the state and local levels.

A digital illustration of mountains, sea, and grasslands with a sun and clouds in the sky

13 Ways to Celebrate National Public Lands Day

September 27 is National Public Lands Day! Here's a guide to celebrating and protecting America's beloved natural spaces.

A 3D-printed mold holds a brown cup made from a dried gourd

What if we could grow reusable cups in our gardens? These gourds are replacing single-use plastic containers

The Gourd Project wants to scale up a centuries-old technology to confront the plastic crisis.

A ping pong ball bounces in a pyramid of red and white party cups

This college student was tired of seeing red Solo cups litter her campus. She invented a way to turn them into sweaters

The New Norm now sells sweaters and beanies fully made from plastic party cups for as low as $45 a piece.

A young woman with long black hair opens a window behind a white sun-lit curtain

This clear coating 'secretly' turns windows into solar panels: 'Without sacrificing aesthetics'

The invention could help scale solar energy in a whole new way.

A man in a blue plaid shirt and blue face mask reaches up to take care of a yellow plant in a greenhouse

Instead of conflict mining, this startup extracts nickel from daisies: 'Especially helpful for electric vehicles'

Genomines says its plants could extract 7 to 14 times as much nickel as the traditional industry does now.

A person in black leggings and purple sneakers runs in a forest, their legs blurred in speed

New study finds exercising outdoors is 'superior' to the gym or city: 'Our brain loves nature'

New research from the University of Copenhagen provides insights that can be used to improve public health.

Two white ducks sit inside of a pinecone-shaped shelter in a pond

These floating 'pinecone huts' keep ducks safe from hot temperatures, typhoons

They were designed by acclaimed architect Cheng Tsung Feng.

A rendering of an aerial view of Baghdad, Iraq, where millions of trees frame an urban development

This former Iraqi military site used to hold 45M tons of waste. Now, it's being transformed into a massive 'urban forest'

Leaders say the development is “a symbol of renewal” for Baghdad.

A person backpacking in a forest

These are the best places to plant trees to help the environment, a new online map shows

Reforestation is gaining global momentum as a climate solution, but its success depends on how and where it’s done.

A bus shelter is topped with green plants

Boston is the first US city to plant green roofs on bus stops: 'Would amount to 17 acres of green space'

These “living roofs” are already inspiring other North American cities.

An aerial view of a coastline on a map

Scientists want to 'fertilize the oceans like farmers fertilize crops.' These tiny organisms are helping them

Scientists are exploring whether encouraging the growth of phytoplankton could draw down more atmospheric carbon — without unintended side effects in oceanic ecosystems.