A century of hair clippings show lead exposure rates have plummeted There’s no safe level of exposure to lead—but a small, strange study shows we’ve made incredible progress in recent decades

💇‍♀️ Turns out, you can analyze anything: Hair clippings over the past 100 years show rates of lead exposure plummeted, thanks to regulation. www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-ce...

#Sustainability #Food #Health #RightToRepair #GoodNewsletter

🫖 Can primates play pretend? Bonobo tea party study authors say yes. (Photo: NBC)

For more proof that conservation works, read the Good Newsletter at the link in bio! rachellincolnsarnoff.substack.com

#Sustainability #Animals #Nature #Conservation #GoodNewsletter

Analysis: China’s CO2 emissions have now been ‘flat or falling’ for 21 months - Carbon Brief China’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions fell by 1% in the final quarter of 2025, likely securing a decline of 0.3% for the full year as a whole.

🇨🇳 China's Co2 emissions have been "flat or falling" for 21 months. www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

Colombia poised for another drop in deforestation in 2025, data show Deforestation in Colombia appears to have declined in 2025, with notable reductions in several departments that have historically struggled with forest loss. An estimated 36,280 hectares (89,650…

🌳 For the fourth straight year, deforestation dropped significantly in Colombia in 2025 thanks to government and communities working together to prevent illegal forest clearing. news.mongabay.com/2026/01/colo...

#Sustainability #Forests #Nature #Conservation #GoodNewsletter

Candela P-12 completes world’s longest electric sea journey Demonstrating that electric passenger vessels are no longer confined to short, fixed routes—or dependent on costly, purpose-built charging infrastructure—the...

🛥️ This hydrofoil looks like a waterbug and just completed 160 nautical miles, proving people-moving ferries can go the distance. www.mynewsdesk.com/candela-spee...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

N,O co-doped hierarchical nanoporous biochar derived from waste cigarette butts for high-performance energy-storage application <p>There are about 8 million tons of discarded cigarette butts generated annually worldwide. The green and efficient use of them is urgently needed. Cigarette butts are waste cellulose-based…

🚬 Researchers turned cigarette butts into supercapacitors for faster-charging batteries, proving trash can indeed become treasure. (Also, if you smoke filtered, please pick up your butts!) www.maxapress.com/article/doi/...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

Local Barley Becomes Local Booze at a Wisconsin Distillery Prioritizing Ag Sustainability - Inside Climate News Farmers, distillers and other businesses are taking part in a “grain to glass” sourcing system that eliminates waste and keeps agriculture business within communities.

🥃 "Grain to glass" systems eliminate agriculture waste and emissions by producing small batch booze. insideclimatenews.org/news/0902202...

#Sustainability #Food #Health #RightToRepair #GoodNewsletter

EPA Affirms Farmers’ Right to Repair The agency issued new guidance on a Biden-era policy, which prohibits manufacturers from using environmental laws to prevent repair work.

🚜 Farmers have a right to repair their own equipment, the EPA rules -- and manufacturers can't falsely claim environmental reasons for preventing them. civileats.com/2026/02/05/e...

#Sustainability #Food #Health #RightToRepair #GoodNewsletter

‘The trend is irreversible’: has Romania shattered the link between economic growth and high emissions? Emissions have plunged 75% since communist times in the birthplace of big oil – but for some the transition has been brutal

🇷🇴 Romania has decoupled economic growth from pollution faster than anywhere else in the EU, with GHGs plummeting 88% between 1990-2023 -- the same time that GDP was doubling. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

The Olympics are ditching PFAS waxes — and the ‘ridiculous’ speed they gave skiers A key source of speed is gone, as concerns over toxic “forever chemicals” reshape Olympic skiing and the science behind winning on snow.

⛷️ The Milan Cortina Games were the first Olympics to ban fluorinated ski waxes, which increase speed but deliver "forever chemicals" to the environment. And guess what? People still skied fast. grist.org/culture/the-...

#Sustainability #Food #Health #RightToRepair #GoodNewsletter

The US Farmers Saving Palestinian Seeds More than 40 growers nationwide are working to preserve heirloom seeds, along with the history, tradition, and identity they contain.

🌱 American farmers in the Seed Protectors Project are working together to preserve heritage seeds from Gaza, where nearly 99% of farmland is currently unable to be cultivated. civileats.com/2026/02/03/t...

#Sustainability #Food #Health #RightToRepair #GoodNewsletter

China’s new lithium battery defies extreme cold of -34 C, can ensure energy supply of drones, robots in high altitude, cold conditions Chinese researchers have developed an ultra-low-temperature lithium battery that enables plug-and-play operation in extreme cold and competed on-site testing in Mohe, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang…

🥶 One problem with lithium batteries is they tend to shut down when they're cold. This new tech solves that problem, delivering power at 85% capacity even after shivering for over eight hours. www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

Michigan accuses big oil of being ‘cartel’ that fuels climate crisis and high energy costs In first-of-its-kind complaint, state accused four fossil fuel majors and US oil lobbying group of climate disinformation

⚖️ Michigan sues Big Oil for violating antitrust laws in order to tamp down renewables and hike up energy prices, in a first-of-its-kind suit that could set the stage for nationwide action. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

❄️ As the Arctic warms, polar bears are rapidly adapting -- and fattening up. edition.cnn.com/2026/01/30/c...

#Sustainability #Animals #Nature #Conservation #GoodNewsletter

Which type of chocolate has the lowest climate impact? A lifecycle analysis compares dark, milk, white, and compound chocolate, and detects the surprising environmental burden of different ingredients.

🍫 What's the best chocolate, from a climate perspective? You may be surprised! www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2026/02/whic...

#Sustainability #Food #Health #RightToRepair #GoodNewsletter

EPR retains packaging policy spotlight in 2026 Industry groups are largely focused on state action in the Northeast. Meanwhile, labeling discussions are gaining ground at the federal level.

📜 EPR adoption in two new states last year spotlights discussions in the Northeast, where plastic regulation decisions in four states might impact policy nation-wide. www.packagingdive.com/news/packagi...

#Sustainability #Plastic #CircularEconomy #Reuse #GoodNewsletter

🔋 Rapid development of alternative battery tech delivers 600+ mile range in new Chinese EVs -- with joint VW and Toyota ventures, hopefully coming soon to a vehicle near you. insideevs.com/news/786950/...

#Sustainability #Climate #EVs #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

India Is Electrifying Faster Than China Using Cheap Green Tech Developing countries are taking advantage of falling prices for solar, wind and batteries.

🇮🇳 India takes advantage of plummeting prices for solar, wind, and batteries to leapfrog into electrification. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

📚 And Regardless of federal rhetoric, blue and red states add climate to curriculum. (Photo: The Guardian)

For grounded confidence in chaotic times, check out the (free) Good Newsletter. rachellincolnsarnoff.substack.com

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

Endangered Flat-Headed Cats Were Just Photographed In Thailand For The First Time In 30 Years A survey of the species recorded the creatures 16 times in 2025.

🐱 For the first time in 30 years, endangered flat-headed cats are back in Thailand, and they're beautiful. allthatsinteresting.com/thailand-fla...

#Sustainability #Animals #Nature #Conservation #GoodNewsletter

Department of Education Backs Down on Unlawful Directive Targeting Educational Equity | NEA In a victory for academic freedom and education equity, the U.S. Department of Education conceded the end of its February 14, 2025, “Dear Colleague” directive that sought to restrict diversity,…

📘 US Department of Education was recently forced to reverse on restrictions of DEI programs in schools. www.nea.org/about-nea/me...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

'It took a village.' Florida crews rescue 'Melby,' a 410-pound manatee The juvenile manatee was rescued from a Florida storm drain after a public tip and multi-agency effort. He is now recovering at SeaWorld Orlando.

🚨 After getting stuck in a storm drain in Florida, 400-pound Melby the manatee is now safe. www.yahoo.com/news/article...

#Sustainability #Animals #Nature #Conservation #GoodNewsletter

India budget targets eco boost for textiles India’s budget for 2026/27 features new initiative designed to align the country’s textile industry with EU sustainability standards

🇮🇳 India's new budget intends to align the textiles industry with EU sustainability standards. www.ecotextile.com/202602026154...

#Sustainability #Fashion #SwapDontShop #SlowFashion #GoodNewsletter

First of its kind ‘high-density’ hydro system begins generating electricity in Devon Project employs technology that can be used to store and release renewable energy using even gentle slopes

⚡Who needs a dam? First-ever underground hydropower system delivers electricity in Devon, proving that fast and inexpensive production of gently sloped systems is possible. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

#Climate #Renewable #KeepItInTheGround #GoodNewsletter

Fighting back against climate rage bait Eight of the top 10 online shows and personalities are spreading climate misinformation.

🧠 Ridiculous rhetoric got you steamed up? Check out these great tips to bypass rage bait, which can be applied to climate deniers and so much more. "Grounded confidence" is possible! trellis.net/article/figh...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

Pivot Energy and Tapestry, Inc. Announce Completion of Three Illinois Community Solar Projects Pivot Energy and Tapestry, Inc. complete three Illinois community solar projects and are proud to support local workforce development initiatives.

🏙️ Tapestry -- aka Coach and Kate Spade -- announced its partner completed three community solar power project in Illinois. www.pivotenergy.net/news-release...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

This Startup Thinks It Can Make Rocket Fuel From Water. Stop Laughing General Galactic, cofounded by a former SpaceX engineer, plans to test its water-based propellant this fall. If successful, it could help usher in a new era of space travel. That's a big “if.”

🚀 Can you make rocket fuel from water? This former SpaceX engineer says yes. www.wired.com/story/genera...

#Climate #Renewable #KeepItInTheGround #GoodNewsletter

China’s air quality policies have swiftly reduced pollution, improved life expectancy Despite significant increases in particulate pollution (PM2.5) in many regions of the world, global pollution has declined since 2013. That decline is due entirely to China’s success in steeply…

🫁 Pollution is down and health is up in China, where the effects of nearly three decades of air quality policies are being felt. epic.uchicago.edu/insights/chi...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

Chart: Solar is finally bigger than coal in Texas Sure, coal had a comeback in 2025. But the year also marked the first time Texas got more power from solar than from the increasingly expensive fossil…

🌤️ Last year in Texas, coal came back -- but solar came back bigger. www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter

🌊 Offshore wind wins again -- for the fifth time. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/c...

#Sustainability #Climate #Renewables #CleanEnergy #GoodNewsletter