Good News for the Environment

Sustainable stories of progress for the planet

Scientists uncover heat-tolerant corals in Great Barrier Reef, indicating a better future for reefs

In research published today, we discovered surprising new evidence of variable heat tolerance in corals. As the world’s oceans warm, these differences are important.

A worker lays out blocks of concrete on a pathway.

New 'bone-inspired' concrete is 560% stronger, without using plastics or fibers

The concrete, inspired by cortical bone, proves how well our bones handle strength under pressure.

The bamboo coral Isidella displaying bioluminescence in the Caribbean in 2009

From glowing corals to vomiting shrimp, animals have used bioluminescence to communicate for millions of years — here's what scientists still don't know about it

At least 94 living organisms produce their own light through a chemical reaction inside their bodies – an ability called bioluminescence.

A photo collage of a kid getting a vaccine, a bottle containing different chemicals to make a protein product, people seated inside a restaurant, a snippet of a line graph of the declining rate of U.S. overdose deaths, and a group of six people planting a tree

Good News This Week: September 21, 2024 - Proteins, Athletes, & Trees

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

A coral reef under the Red Sea, with various fish swimming by

A new, very 'grumpy' sea creature was discovered, and it's creating climate change awareness

It looks like it woke up on the wrong side of the riverbed.

A group of young students walking outside

How trauma-sensitive climate change education builds 'truthful hope'

For educators, Summer is an opportunity to reflect and regroup, often including planning for supporting students in the next school year. It is becoming increasingly important that this support involves helping students navigate the impacts of the climate crisis.

A notepad calendar graphic displays the text "100 Days of Good News" in bold orange and red letters, against a background with floating calendar pages showing various numbers, including 56, 98, 10, 72, 34, and 3. The background transitions from pink at the top to orange at the bottom.

100 Days of Good News: All of the good news we've shared so far

We launched the '100 Days of Good News' project as a bit of a palate cleanser to give our brains a break from the heaviness of bad news.

A group of four Palestinians plant an olive tree in the ground. They include — from left to right — one young woman with a long light blue dress and navy blue hijab, an older man in a light button-down shirt and khakis, an older woman in a teal dress and light pink hijab, and a younger man in a lilac shirt and khakis.

2,500 olive trees planted in the West Bank for International Day of Peace

These “Freedom Farms” empower families through financial security and gender equality.

A scuba diver approaches a conch shell underwater as the snail pokes its eyestalks out.

Scientists are saving endangered sea snails… by setting them up on 'speed dates'

Due to hot coastal waters, queen conch sea snails have been habitually single. That’s when scientists stepped in to help.

Should we protect nature for its own sake? For its economic value? Because it makes us happy? Yes

There’s broad agreement that there is a biodiversity crisis, but there are many different views about why protecting it is important.

A large industrial room with a 'Food Bank' sign against the wall contains long metal tables with six very large red mesh bags of brown potatoes on them

New data: Food banks provided 1.7 billion meals and prevented 1.8 million metric tons of carbon emissions

Redistributing food before it’s tossed or wasted doesn’t just fight hunger — it also fights climate change.

Hikers on an elevated desert trail In Phoenix area with cactus and mountains in background.

The best (and worst) U.S. cities for getting outside in 2024

Going outside more frequently has the potential to improve health outcomes along with your mental health and quality of life. But where you live impacts how easy and convenient it is to spend time in the great outdoors throughout the year.