Volunteers in New Zealand are “babysitting” endangered sea lion pups. Meet one teen volunteer and read more about sea lion history in this article from CNN.
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Decarbonizing Scooters
The Taiwanese company Gogoro has created a system to convert polluting scooters to electric with battery swapping stations. Here’s the story and podcast from Voltz.
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Artificial Intelligence is Gradually Replacing Animal Testing
The company Smarter Sorting realized they could use a computational model to determine substance toxicity, “…which is not only faster, more cost effective, but also more humane,” says CEO Jacqueline. Claudia. Read about how AI can help reduce suffering from animal testing from FAST Company.
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Teenager Invents a Mind Controlled Prosthetic Arm
High school student Benjamin Choi created a “non-invasive, mind-controlled robotic arm … able to withstand weights up to about four tons…. And it only costs around $300 to manufacture.” Read this fascinating story from SmithsonianMagazine.
And in related news….
8-Year-Old Beknur Gets a News Prosthetic Arm made from Legos
Got Good News?
Please share your good news or GNT link in the comments!
In many places around the world, lack of internet and TV access prevents distance learning. This is particularly challenging for girls and young women who may be pressured to do more household chores or marry early since not going to school. An organization called Mercy Corps has been helping young women continue education using radio programs. To read about how this works in Nigeria, Nepal, and Jordan, click here.
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New Zealand Buys COVID 19 Vaccines for Pacific Neighbors
New Zealand’s government will be supporting its Pacific neighbors by making sure they have access to COVID – 19 vaccines. They will be purchasing enough vaccines for Tokelau, Niue, and the Cook Islands as well as Polynesian neighbors Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu if needed. I was curious how close these islands are to the New Zealand mainland and was surprised at the vast distances between these islands. Here’s more from The Good News Network.
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The Woman Who Stopped Monsanto
Indigenous Mayan beekeeper Leydy Pech was awarded the 2020 Goldman Prize often called the environmental Nobel. Ms. Pech formed and led a coalition that “successfully halted Monsanto’s planting of genetically modified soybeans in southern Mexico.” I hope you will read more about her work at the link below where you will find her brief but powerful acceptance speech. Leydy Pech – Goldman Environmental Foundation : Goldman Environmental Foundation (goldmanprize.org)
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Eleven Year Old Saves a Young Shark
At a beach in Australia, eleven year old Billie Rae saw a small shark stuck between some rocks. She quickly and carefully picked up the shark and carried it to safety. I can’t help but admire Billie’s poise and courage.
North Dakota Farmers Rally to Help Neighbor after Heart Attack
When Lane Unhjem’s combine caught fire at harvest time he went into cardiac arrest. But about 60 farmers put their own work on hold to join to help their neighbor harvest his wheat and canola crops …. “in a record time of seven hours.” The Good News Network has more.
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Pledging 100% Renewable Energy in New Zealand in Ten Years
New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern and the Labour party have pledged to have their country running on 100% renewable energy by 2030 if re-elected. The Good News Network has more on their plan.
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Lonely Widower Receives an Abundance of Friends
I’ve lost Jo
My lovely wife and soul mate
I have no friends or family
No one to talk to
I find the unremitting silence
Twenty-four hours a day
Unbearable torture
Can anyone help me?
That’s what was on the sign Tony Williams put up outside his house in England. Before that, two newspaper ads and handing out cards didn’t work and Tony felt cursed with loneliness. Now, he has thousands of friends from around the world. A good reminder to not give up. Keep asking for what you need. Here’s more of the story.
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You’re Hired!
LeShenda Williams was homeless and sleeping in her car at Krogers in where she used to shop. Then she she saw a flyer that the store was having a job fair and decided to ask for a job. The manager saw something special in LeShenda (you will, too) and hired her. Now, LeShenda has an apartment furnished with help from her co-workers.
The world’s first permanent dolphin sanctuary and retirement center has opened in Bali with three residents rescued from a hotel where they lived in shallow, concrete pools. They are now receiving rehabilitation at the center and live in large, fifty foot deep pools of ocean water. You can read more about the center in this article, and learn about the three dolphins, Rocky, Rambo, and Johnny, on the website for the Umah Lumba Rehabilitation, Release, and Retirement Center.
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First Major University Goes 100% Green
The University of Queensland in Australia is the first major university to run on 100% green energy! Here’s more from Global Citizen.
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Cities Working to Make Free Internet More Accessible
I first came across the possibility of free internet sufficient for students when I read Dan’s WATWB post at No Facilities. Dan shared that a public-private partnership will be providing free WiFi for the city of Hartford, Connecticut.
Then, I read that the city of Philadelphia is working on a similar arrangement planning to “connect eligible student households with two years of high-speed internet, without any out-of-pocket expenses or installation fees.” Here’s that story from The Good News Network.
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New Zealand Goes 100 Days With No New Cases of COVID 19
After a swift and serious work to stop the coronavirus, New Zealand, a country of five million people, has seen no new cases in 100 days! Here’s more from MSN.
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Baby Sea Turtles Released in Bali
Today, we’re starting and ending with Bali, where volunteers released 10,000 Olive Ridley turtles into the ocean on Friday. The conservation initiative has concentrated way of collecting the eggs and keeping the baby turtles safe until released shown in this video.
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Got good news?
Whether it’s global, local, or personal, feel free to share your good news in the comments!
The country of New Zealand has lifted most restrictions reporting zero active cases. This BBC article includes a video of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who told reporters she did “a little dance” when she heard the news. Great job, New Zealand! And Great job, Prime Minister Ardern!
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Honoring the Legacy of a Life Well Lived
“You never become bitter,” Lewis said. “You never become hostile. You never try to demean your opposition.”
In 1965, Congressman John Lewis was almost killed in a peaceful protest crossing a bridge in Alabama. But he lived on, persevering for many years, working for justice. He died on July 17 at the age of 80. In March of this year, he was able to attend the annual re-enactment of the bridge crossing, saying, “I’m not going to give up. I’m not going to give in.”
That bridge is currently named after a confederate general. One way to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis will be to rename it the John Lewis Memorial Bridge. You can read more about the legacy of this man of justice in this article from NPR.
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Sudan Criminalizes Female Genital Mutilation
A law drafted last year by Sudan’s transitional government was ratified last week banning female genital mutilation with up to three years in prison for anyone who performs the procedure. Another amendment allows Sudanese mothers to travel with their children outside the country without permission from their spouses. Last fall, authorities overturned laws controlling dress and prohibiting women from drinking alcohol. For background and details on these changes, please read this article from PBS
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A New Statue
In Bristol, England, a new monument depicting Black Lives Matter protester Jen Reid has replaced the statue of slave trader Edward Colston. You can read more in this NPR article.
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A Knight to Remember
Congratulations to Captain Sir Tom Moore who was knighted on Friday!
The fires in Australia are horrific. Today I want to hold up the helpers. Please join me in praying for their strength and safety and for a steady rain to fall over the fires.
Teams of firefighters and volunteers from all over the world are being deployed to fight bush fires in Australia like these US and Canadian teams .
The good news for this koala starts at 28 seconds into the video.
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New Zealand’s Ban on Assault Weapons
Independent reports more than 50,000 guns were turned in after New Zealand banned assault weapons. The ban of lethal semi-automatic weapons was implemented after 51worshippers at two were murdered in March.
The six month buy back program ended in December, “with gun collection events staying open late as police reported in a last-minute surge.”
Provisional figures indicate 33,000 people handed in 51,000 guns, and another 5,000 weapons as part of a parallel amnesty in which owners could hand over any type of firearm without any questions being asked but without getting compensated.
Maine Bans Styrofoam & Oregon Gives Up Plastic bags
Maine has become the first US state to ban styrofoam (plastic foam) containers that take almost forever to break down. When this material does break down it turns into smaller plastic foam pieces that are dangerous to wildlife. The material is rarely recycled. The law goes into effect next year. Read more here.
As of January 1st, Oregon has given up single use plastic bags! (Just one more reason for Oregon to be on my bucket list.) Here’s more on that story.
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We Are More Alike than Different
The Correspondent article below explores shows how we agree more than disagree.
“Driving our feelings of polarisation are what we might call the “antisocial media”: a continuous stream of contentious reporting and trending topics, consumed and shared by the groups with the loudest – and most extreme – opinions.”
….”Nearly 80% of Americans are in favour of higher taxes for the rich, two-thirds want the government to do more to combat climate change and conserve the environment, and roughly the same number say that immigrants strengthen society – twice as many as 25 years ago.”
Global Citizen reports that Italy has passed a law to send unsold food to charities. It’s shameful how much food is thrown away when so many people are hungry. The article gives example of how much of the food thrown away is edible:
“….if white rice is mis-labeled basmati rice, it’s food waste. If a vegetable is misshapen it’s food waste. If a cereal box has a tear, food waste. A can with a ripped label also food waste. A bruised fruit, yup, food waste.”
While some countries impose penalties for wasted food, Italy is providing incentives.
SynDaver—the world’s leading manufacturer of hyper-realistic, synthetic human and animal surgical trainers has created a realistic enough non-living frog model for dissection. Despite the replica being more expensive than a real frog, its synthetic tissues are reusable and free of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. At least 3 million frogs are killed annually in the name of educational dissection. Isn’t it time we moved toward more humane educational pursuits?
A group of Dutch quilters making mittens for koalas and pouches for kangaroos suffering from fires in Australia. The mittens and pouches must be made entirely of cotton. Here’s the story from SBS Dutch.
Other good news within this terrible fire, is that $1,705,390 has been raised to help animals in Australia. Here’s a link to the fundraiserfor the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. THANK YOU to all the helpers!
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New Zealand Commits to Becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050
“In a historic show of bipartisan agreement” New Zealand passed a new law that will require the nation to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. The Good News Network provides details, and Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden, inspires:
8 Year Old Refugee Living in a Homeless Shelter wins NY Chess Championship
Eight year old Tanitoluwa Adewumi, who goes by Tani, won the New York state championship for his age level. He started playing chess about a year ago in school. Tani and his parents are refugees from Nigeria and live in a homeless shelter in New York. Both of his parents are now working, and one of Tani’s chess coaches has started a gofundme page to help them get a house. You can read more about Tani and his family here.
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Students Strike for the Planet
I’m filled with hope by so many young people around the world striking on behalf of the planet this past Friday. The first video is an in depth report from Australia. The second is more of an overview.
16 Year Old Planet Activist Nominated for Nobel Prize
Greta Thunberg, the 16 year old activist from Sweden has inspired thousands of students around the world to strike for the planet, has been nominated for the Nobel Prize. In August of 2018, Greta started the first school strike for climate. In December, she addressed the UN Climate Change Conference. Recently, Greta became the youngest person to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Until I watched her Ted Talk, I didn’t know she has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. She is intensely honest. Greta plans to strike from school “every Friday until Sweden is in line with the Paris Agreement.” Personally, she has stopped flying, stopped eating meat and dairy, and she does not buy new things unless it’s absolutely necessary
“The one thing we need more than hope is action. Once we start to act, hope is everywhere.” __ Greta Thunberg
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Look for the Helpers
The news from Christchurch New Zealand was horrible. My goal is to remember those 50 people who lost their lives, find a way to honor them, and recognize those who’ve come to help. In my Goodnewsletter this morning, I found 12 stories of hope about the helpers – people who have rallied to help the victims of this tragedy. Here are a few of those stories:
Anything is Possible! 