Good News for the Environment

Sustainable stories of progress for the planet

An African giant pouched rat sits on a person's lap, wearing a small red vest with a ball attached to its chest

First, rats were trained to sniff out landmines and tuberculosis. Now, they're detecting wildlife smugglers

Rats trained by researchers at nonprofit Apopo may soon be the next fleet of scent-sniffing heroes to save wildlife.

Three individuals study a clean energy reactor

University of Chicago opens first-of-its-kind climate institute: 'A game change is needed in the climate fight'

The University of Chicago’s new Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth includes a number of new degree programs for undergraduate and graduate students.

Two photos side by side. On the left, a pumpkin is carved with the image of a fat bear. On the right, a pumpkin is carved with an image of a bison tossing a tourist in the air

New national park pumpkin carving templates depict beloved species and wildlife warning

The templates remind visitors of the beauty of the parks — and some key wildlife safety tips.

A mother polar bear and a polar bear cub stand on a body of ice, which seems to be patchy amid the Arctic Ocean

The Arctic is still melting rapidly, but slowing ocean currents provide hope — and time

UC Riverside researchers mapped out global ocean currents’ impact on Arctic warming — and have a sliver of hope.

A look out over a blue winding river, green forestry, against a blue sunny sky dotted with a few white clouds.

100 years ago, a US river refuge was saved with a letter-writing campaign. Today it's home to over 500 species

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge has been home to countless migratory birds, fish, wildlife since it was narrowly saved in 1924.

A photo collage of Robert Smalls, a mosquito up-close, a whale's tail peeking out from underwater, a solar panel farm atop a building in New York, and Betty Cartledge being interviewed on the news

Good News This Week: October 26, 2024 - Fathers, Oceans, & Butterflies

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

A yellow robotic arm sorts recyclable items as they come down a conveyer belt

AI robots recover recyclables from Chicago's waste, saving them from the landfill

The new RecycleOS robot is ensuring every last aluminum can gets recycled from Chicago’s LRS facilities.

A group of orange monarch butterflies sit atop green leaves

Monarch butterflies could be wiped out by 2090. To save them, scientists are relocating an entire forest

In Mexico, scientists are experimenting with the possibility of relocating oyamel fir trees to higher elevations, in order to save monarch butterflies.

A hand holds up a small vial of bright yellow powder on the UC Berkeley campus

Berkeley researchers use turmeric-like powder to 'clean the air entirely' of carbon dioxide

UC Berkeley researchers have made strides in direct air carbon capture — all thanks to a vial of bright yellow powder.

A photo collage of an electric grid tower, a building at the University of California San Diego, two men posing for the camera, an 'Early Voting Available Here' signage, and the Kinderspital building

Good News This Week: October 19, 2024 - Hospitals, Ballots, & Donations