These days, bad news dominates headlines, social media feeds, TV segments, and more. It makes sense: humans biologically have an internal negativity bias that makes it easier for our brains to process and retain bad news.
This bias means we must work extra hard to find, pay attention to, and celebrate good news.
And there’s a lot of it: good news happens all over the world every single day, too. Scientists are making life-saving medical breakthroughs, animals are coming back from extinction, trees are getting planted, governments are protecting human rights, the world is transitioning to renewable energy at a faster clip, and more.
Good Good Good exists to give those stories the platform they deserve — we do it every day in our newsletter, in our print newspaper, and on our news website.
But we’re only human, and even a team of scrappy hopefuls fully immersed in good news is not immune to doomscrolling and the mental health implications of being online.
We’re bombarded every day with negative comments and hateful messages, and feel overwhelmed by massive large- and small-scale issues like climate change, inequality, war and conflict, and racism.
So, we launched 100 Days of Good News in the fall of 2024 as a bit of a reset button, a palate cleanser, to give our brains a break from the heaviness.
This exercise doesn’t negate or ignore the truly awful things happening in the world right now — but rather, reminds us that hope is real and progress is possible. Knowing that change is possible is an essential precursor to making a difference for the world’s biggest problems.
So, in an effort to help you feel more hopeful, we’re sharing a good news story every day, for 100 days. We’ll update this article daily with a new good news story — plus a few more related stories for an extra dose of hope.
100 Days of Good News
Day 63
After her late husband told her women shouldn’t vote, an 81-year-old Georgia widow voted for the first time ever
Betty Cartledge turned 82 yesterday, but cause for celebration came a few days earlier in the week, when the then-81-year-old voted in her first election.
Cartledge told a local news crew that she had never voted before, despite having the right to for her whole life, because her late husband “didn’t think she should.”
After he passed away in 2023, she realized that it wasn’t too late to exercise her right to vote. So, arm in arm with her niece, she entered the early voting location in Georgia to see the inside of a voting booth for the first time ever.
Why is this good news? While women in the U.S. have now had the right to vote for more than a century, “heads of households” (and even politicians) who believe women should not vote has suppressed a subset of women from exercising their rights.
Still, women are a force in elections, registering and voting at higher rates than men in every presidential election since 1980.
→ Read more
More Good News
Helping more women run for office, Arizona and Oklahoma approved the use of campaign funds for child care. While child care is becoming more of a shared responsibility between parents, it still disproportionately falls on women, so this rule helps remove barriers to more people running for elected office.
Thanks to Olympian Allyson Felix, parents across the U.S. can get free child care to vote on Election Day. Lack of access to childcare, especially for Black parents in underresourced communities, is a major barrier to voting for many people — Felix partnered with Chamber of Mothers to reimburse child care costs.
A North Carolina state senate candidate is running to raise awareness about gerrymandering. Kate Barr, who is running for senate in the state’s 37th District, says she was “gerrymandered out of a chance” — so she’s running her campaign on the promise that she won’t win.
Day 62
A North Carolina state senate candidate is running to raise awareness about gerrymandering
Kate Barr, who is running for state senate in North Carolina’s 37th District, says she was “gerrymandered out of a chance” — so she’s running her campaign on the promise that she won’t win.
Gerrymandering is the practice of dividing or arranging a territorial unit into election districts in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage in elections — and North Carolina is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country.
In 2022, the state’s Supreme Court even ruled that the state constitution allows partisan gerrymandering.
While Barr is a Democrat, and gerrymandering itself is inherently partisan, her campaign isn’t intended to sway people any one way, but rather to shed a light on the democratic process and the need to protect free and fair elections.
More Good News
After her late husband told her women shouldn’t vote, an 81-year-old Georgia widow voted for the first time ever. After he passed away in 2023, Betty Cartledge realized that it wasn’t too late to exercise her right to vote.
Helping more women run for office, Arizona and Oklahoma approved the use of campaign funds for child care. While child care is becoming more of a shared responsibility between parents, it still disproportionately falls on women, so this rule helps remove barriers to more people running for elected office.
Thanks to Olympian Allyson Felix, parents across the U.S. can get free child care to vote on Election Day. Lack of access to childcare, especially for Black parents in underresourced communities, is a major barrier to voting for many people — Felix partnered with Chamber of Mothers to reimburse child care costs.
Day 61
Thanks to Olympian Allyson Felix, parents across the U.S. can get free child care to vote on Election Day
U.S. Olympian Allyson Felix — who introduced the first-ever Olympic nursery in Paris this year — has partnered with Chamber of Mothers to help reduce one barrier to voting: Child care.
Accessing child care is especially difficult for Black moms in historically under-resourced communities. To help reduce this challenge to voting, the organization is offering a number of free or reimbursed child care services in various states.
In North Carolina, Felix and COM are working with nonprofit Politisit to reimburse up to two hours of child care for parents who are early voting or heading to the polls on election day.
More Good News
A North Carolina state senate candidate is running to raise awareness about gerrymandering. Kate Barr, who is running for senate in the state’s 37th District, says she was “gerrymandered out of a chance” — so she’s running her campaign on the promise that she won’t win.
After her late husband told her women shouldn’t vote, an 81-year-old Georgia widow voted for the first time ever. After he passed away in 2023, Betty Cartledge realized that it wasn’t too late to exercise her right to vote.
Helping more women run for office, Arizona and Oklahoma approved the use of campaign funds for child care. While child care is becoming more of a shared responsibility between parents, it still disproportionately falls on women, so this rule helps remove barriers to more people running for elected office.
Day 60
Helping more women run for office, Arizona and Oklahoma approved the use of campaign funds for child care
In a move that will no doubt help more women run for office, Arizona and Oklahoma just announced that state law allows candidates to use privately raised campaign funds for dependent care.
Oklahoma law, for example, considers it an “ordinary and necessary expense.” Now 35 states and Washington, D.C. allow campaign funds to pay for child care.
While child care is becoming more of a shared responsibility between parents, it still disproportionately falls on women. And for single-parent households, this rule helps remove barriers to more people running for elected office.
More Good News
Thanks to Olympian Allyson Felix, parents across the U.S. can get free child care to vote on Election Day. Lack of access to childcare, especially for Black parents in underresourced communities, is a major barrier to voting for many people — Felix partnered with Chamber of Mothers to reimburse child care costs.
A North Carolina state senate candidate is running to raise awareness about gerrymandering. Kate Barr, who is running for senate in the state’s 37th District, says she was “gerrymandered out of a chance” — so she’s running her campaign on the promise that she won’t win.
After her late husband told her women shouldn’t vote, an 81-year-old Georgia widow voted for the first time ever. After he passed away in 2023, Betty Cartledge realized that it wasn’t too late to exercise her right to vote.
Day 59
A new report found that the Global Fund partnership has saved 65 million lives since 2002
After a “significant year” of progress in the fith against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, newly released data found that the Global Fund partnership has saved 65 million lives and reduced the combined death rate by 61% since 2002.
In 2023 alone, 25 million people were on antiretroviral therapy for HIV, 7.1 million people were treated for TB, and 227 million mosquito nets were distributed globally.
In countries where the Global Fund works, AIDS-related deaths have decreased by 73% since 2002 and new infections have reduced by 61%. At the end of last year, 84% of people living with HIV knew their status. There’s also notably been a reduced HIV incidence in girls and young women.
Last year, more people with TB were found and treated than ever before. And the Global Fund dramatically improved access to life-saving tools to prevent and treat malaria.
More Good News
Critical in fighting malaria in the country, Mozambique just introduced the vaccine into routine immunization. Malaria is endemic in the country, with prevalence in children under 5 years of age at 32% — this is a critical step forward to improve children’s survival using the lifesaving vaccine.
With stricter limits for almost every pollutant, new WHO air quality guidelines could save millions of lives. The new global air quality guidelines reflect an overwhelming scientific consensus that countries need to more aggressively limit air pollution and protect everyone’s health.
A study found that boosting immunizations could prevent 106,000 deaths from antibiotic resistance per year. The widespread deployment of vaccines that fight 24 key pathogens could reduce global antibiotic use by 22 per cent, according to the report.
Day 58
Heidi Klum is supporting the return of UNICEF’s “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” program in its 75th year
Heidi Klum is well-known for her blowout Halloween parties, which she has hosted since 2000. The “Queen of Halloween” has a new cause she’s championing this year, and it comes in a “little orange box.”
The box is a 75-year-old tradition for UNICEF, which encourages people to “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF,” going door-to-door soliciting donations with the organization’s signature orange collection boxes.
Klum has long been an ambassador for the organization and also acted as spokesperson for the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program in 2011.
And with Klum’s support, the organization hopes to build on the annual campaign’s nearly $200 million fundraising total as “the longest running youth engagement campaign in the United States.”
More Good News
The Teal Pumpkin Project helps homes around the world make Halloween more inclusive for trick-or-treaters with food allergies. Teal is the color of food allergy awareness, so neighbors set out a teal plastic pumpkin to let trick-or-treating families know that your house is safe to stop at on Halloween night.
Shelter pets are pose in donated Halloween costumes to dazzle potential adopters. Pet retailer Chewy teamed up with animal shelters in South Florida, Boston, and Seattle to donate costumes and create the opportunity for people to stumble upon their new family members.
Weeks before Halloween, scientists released their findings of a new “orange and black” colored newt species to the public. In an effort to protect the vulnerable species, the researchers suggested the park close roadways to cars and vehicles during breeding season.
Day 57
To help fight world hunger, scientists created a new protein product using easy-to-source ingredients
A research team at Germany’s University of Tübingen recently created a new protein product using some easy-to-source ingredients — a few you can even get from thin air.
Using just carbon dioxide, hydrogen, oxygen, and a little electricity, added to microbes and some baker’s yeast, the team created a sustainable, nutrient-rich protein substitute full of vitamin B9.
The bacterium deployed in this research could lead food scientists to create a vegan meat substitute, or even offer a long-term, climate-friendly solution to ending the global hunger crisis.
More Good News
Scientists mapped 50 million neural connections in a fly brain, a “huge leap” in understanding human brains, too. The most detailed analysis of the brain of an adult animal ever produced, the new research sheds new light into “the mechanism of thought.”
Scientists invented “coffee robots” to clean oil and microplastics from water using would-be wasted coffee grounds. At least 6 million tons of coffee grounds are created annually — but rather than being wasted, they could remove harmful pollution from water.
Scientists just discovered heat-tolerant coral in the Great Barrier Reef, offering hope for the reef’s future. As humanity works to dramatically reduce emissions to prevent further ocean warming, this research will help with interventions to buy time for corals to survive.
Day 56
Ending the country’s 140-year reliance on coal, the last coal plant in the UK closed in September
After receiving its final delivery of coal earlier this summer, the last coal power plant in the UK closed its doors on September 30 – making it the first G7 country to remove coal from its grid entirely.
The closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station marks the end of a 142-year history of coal in the country – with its first coal-fired power plant opening in 1882. The UK’s transition away from the dirty fuel source has been rapid thanks to the growth of renewables as well as natural gas.
The site will be transformed into a zero carbon technology and energy hub once it’s decommissioned. It’s a major step as the UK government ends coal generation by 2024.
More Good News
An Australian Aboriginal woman fought a coal mine that would have emitted 1.58 billion tons of carbon dioxide. Had she not won her case, the proposed Waratah coal mine would have destroyed a nature refuge and extracted approximately 40 million tons of coal every year for 35 years.
Following a K-pop protest over climate concerns, carmaker Hyundai ended its aluminum deal with a highly-polluting company. Kpop4Planet collected over 11,000 signatures from fans in 68 countries for Hyundai to cut ties with Adaro, whose coal mines would emit 5.2 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year.
Thanks to their “imaginative” nonviolent action, climate activists helped bring about the “end of coal” in New England. Granite Shore Power, or GSP, announced that it will “voluntarily” stop burning coal at its Merrimack and Schiller Stations in New Hampshire by 2028.
Day 55
Insurance companies are now required to provide injectable PrEP under a new federal rule
The Biden-Harris administration announced a new requirement for insurance providers to cover injectable PrEP without co-payment for customers.
The administration is hopeful that the coverage requirement with no cost-sharing will “help jump-start the use of more effective forms of PrEP and lead to fewer HIV transmissions.”
The new rule is an expansion of the Affordable Care Act, and was also applied for Medicare patients.
More Good News
Injected just twice a year, an antiviral drug prevented all cases of HIV in a trial of over 2,000 women. The Phase 3 trial result was better than all existing antivirals tested simultaneously, and could lead to greater uptake and treatment than daily pills.
The rate of new HIV infections in Namibia is five times lower than it was in 2002. Namibia has one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates, with an estimated 11.8% of adults living with HIV, and it’s the leading cause of death in the country.
As long as leaders keep it a priority, experts say we can end the global AIDS crisis by 2030. Investments in treatments, education, and access to care led to a 58% reduction in new HIV infections among children from 2010 to 2022 — the lowest number since the 1980s.
Day 54
A hospital company in North Carolina forgave the medical debt of 11,500 patients
Following a news report on the nationwide medical debt crisis and a North Carolina hospital system’s aggressive pursuit of medical debts — that hospital system reversed course, canceling those debts instead.
With some dating back 20 years or more, Atrium Health would place liens on patients’ homes to collect on their overdue bills. That decision impacted around 11,500 patients — all of whom have now had the liens removed and their debt forgiven.
Earlier this year, the state also started a medical debt relief program — which all state hospitals participate in — but some patients who had longtime debts were left out of the program.
More Good News
An Instagram fundraiser helped forgive the medical debt of over 140,000 families. Sharon McMahon’s “Governerds” community is known for giving back, and collectively donated over $1 million to forgive the medical debt of others.
A local government in Ohio used $1.6 million in federal funding to cancel $240 million of residents’ medical debt. Toledo City Council turned $1.6 million in public dollars into medical debt forgiveness targeted at some of the Ohio metro’s most vulnerable residents.
Congregants at a church in Nebraska are forgiving the medical debt of their neighbors, one at a time. The church’s pastors knew the pandemic shone a light on healthcare and inequity, and followed the example of other churches who had done something similar.
Bonus! A woman’s dying wish was to forgive the medical debt of others — and her viral fundraiser has raised over $1 million. The debt relief fund was created with nonprofit RIP Medical Debt (now Undue Medical Debt), which buys medical debt at cost to help millions of people pay off their thousands in debt.
Day 53
Thirty years in the making, construction is now underway on the world’s largest wildlife crossing
In 2022, seven mountain lions were killed in Los Angeles-area traffic, and it became a catalyst for animal lovers to act. Wildlife activists, government agencies, and private donors came together to finally create a solution.
On track to open in early 2026, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will be the world’s largest wildlife crossing, spanning the busy 101 freeway in Agoura Hills. The freeway is notorious for animal-vehicle collisions.
While construction has been fast-moving, it took decades of advocacy by wildlife groups to finally bring the bridge to fruition.
More Good News
To protect people and animals, Wyoming is investing $28 million to construct wildlife crossings and fencing along a key highway. Highway 26 separates a national park and reservation where mule deer migrate, and it’s been a dangerous road to travel as wildlife collisions are common.
Indigenous knowledge is helping design wildlife crossings in Montana, and it’s reduced collisions by 71%. Previously known as one of Montana’s most dangerous roads, Highway 93 was upgraded to include 42 wildlife crossings that were built based on Indigenous traditional knowledge and values.
With more than 40 underpasses and three overpasses already built, Colorado is leading the way in wildlife crossing construction. Those crossings, paired with long stretches of wildlife fencing to funnel the animals to the safe passageway have reduced wildlife-involved crashes by around 90%.
Day 52
One of the hottest cities in the U.S. is planting a million trees to combat climate change
In order to fight climate change and improve the health of residents, wildlife, and the watershed, Tuscon, Arizona is embarking on an ambitious goal to plant 1 million trees by 2030.
The semi-arid desert experiences an urban heat island effect that disproportionately burdens lower-income communities — so that’s where the city is prioritizing its efforts.
The plan is being implemented by a group of public, private, and nonprofit leaders committed to the restoration of 1 trillion trees globally. In the U.S. alone, groups have already committed to planting 1 billion trees.
More Good News
“Reforestation hubs” are making sure trees that are cut down go on to serve another useful purpose. With an estimated 38 million trees cut down in the U.S. annually, organizations have stepped up with creative solutions to save the wood, reduce carbon emissions, and create jobs.
The U.S. National Forest Foundation planted over 8 million trees — of 25 different species — and reforested over 21,000 acres of land. Pest infestations, drought, and wildfires make it difficult for forests to regenerate on their own, and their efforts have led to cleaner air, cleaner water, and healthier ecosystems.
Achieving a major reforestation milestone, the Democratic Republic of Congo has planted 90% of its 1 billion trees goal. The Democratic Republic of Congo loses 500,000 hectares (1.2 million acres) of forest cover every year due to shifting cultivation, mining, and illegal and informal logging.
Day 51
A county in Oregon filed the first-ever climate deception lawsuit against a natural gas company
For the first time ever, a climate deception lawsuit has been filed against a natural gas company. Oregon’s Multnomah County added NW Natural to its lawsuit against ExxonMobil, Chevron, and others for its role in the region’s deadly 2021 heat-dome event.
Around 800 people died in that event in Oregon, Washington state, and British Columbia. The lawsuit accuses the companies’ carbon emissions of causing it.
It alleges that the companies are responsible for “a substantial portion” of emissions, and that they deceived the public about the harm of those emissions.
More Good News
Scientists invented a new “bioplastic” that degrades in water faster than paper to replace Styrofoam and single-use plastics. Following years of testing, the plastic-like polymer derived from wood pulp has been found to be the fastest-degrading bioplastic material tested in sea water.
A study confirmed that public pressure can lead to shifts in climate policy — even among anti-environmental officials. University of California San Diego researchers studied the public pressures faced by the Brazilian government in the wake of wildfires in 2019.
Thanks to a new clean-air policy, children in London are walking and biking to school more. Implementation of the city’s “low emission zone” has helped to reduce air pollution — and now four in 10 London children are walking to school.
Day 50
Frustrated by the amount of electronic waste, a college student invented a wifi router that dissolves in water
In the last decade, electronic waste has become one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, generating around 50 million tons of e-waste every year (or 1,000 laptops trashed every second).
After they’re shipped off to landfills and incinerated, the trash releases toxic chemicals including lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and so much more, which can cause disastrous health effects on the populations that live near those trash sites.
Fortunately, Franziska Kerber — a university student at FH Joanneum in Graz, Austria — has dreamed up a solution that helps carve away at that behemoth problem: electronics made out of recyclable, dissolvable paper.
More Good News
A group of teen girls invented groundbreaking new AI technology to help reduce wildlife collisions on roadways. A project created by four teen girls in Colorado uses AI and infrared technology to alert drivers of oncoming wildlife.
A college student co-founded New Orlean’s first glass recycling plant. Franziska Trautmann was at the end of her college career when her frustration at her city’s lack of a recycling program for glass boiled over — now, they’re supporting coastal restoration efforts to protect the city from hurricanes.
A national mental health organization is training young advocates to prevent suicide on college campuses. Active Minds teaches thousands of students crisis intervention techniques like “VAR” each year through 600 campus chapters.
Day 49
Just in time for autumn leaves, Virginia’s 43 state parks all now feature special viewfinders for colorblind visitors
While the splendor of fall colors — reds, yellows, greens, and oranges — is something many look forward to every year, people who are affected by colorblindness may find it difficult to distinguish between colors among the trees.
Virginia State Parks is making the beauty of autumn more accessible by installing EnChroma-adapted viewfinders in each of its 43 parks, giving colorblind guests the chance to experience the stunning fall foliage in its full spectrum.
In the United States alone, 13 million people live with colorblindness, and with over 8 million people visiting Virginia State Parks every year, an estimated 341,000 of them are colorblind.
More Good News
California’s newest state park is a “rewilded ranch” that will also protect communities from floods. Until a little more than a decade ago, the area was productive farmland, used for growing crops like tomatoes, alfalfa, melons, and almonds.
Colorado’s 42 state parks will now offer blind visitors an app to help them safely explore on their own. The Aira app is an accessibility-assist tool, which uses the camera on a smartphone to connect users to a live, professionally-trained agent.
Volunteers cleaned up litter left behind by “leaf-peeping” visitors in a New Hampshire state park. Every year, tourists flock to destinations with exceptional fall foliage, and the crowds overwhelm state parks across the Northeast — with their garbage, too.
Day 48
For the first time in decades, data shows a sharp decline in the number of drug overdose deaths across the U.S.
Preliminary data collected from 2023 is already showing an unprecedented decline in drug overdose deaths in the U.S. — by roughly 10.6%. It’s a sharp turn from recent years, when fatal overdoses had been increasing by double-digit percentages.
In some states, early data is showing declines by as much as 30%. Experts estimate this national decline could mean as many as 20,000 fewer fatalities per year.
While there are still a heartbreakingly high number of deaths annually, experts believe the catastrophic increases in overdose deaths that the U.S. saw beginning in 2019 are over, at least for now.
What’s the nuance? While the data isn’t clear what exactly has caused the drop, experts point to the availability and affordability of fentanyl addiction treatment, as well as of naloxone to quickly reverse overdoses. And more resources are needed in Black and Native American communities where overdose deaths are still disproportionately high.
More Good News
With a 96% success rate, MIT scientists reversed opioid overdoses using a ‘Narcan sensor’ implant. The iSOS is an implantable sensor that monitors vitals, and when it determines that an overdose has occurred, it rapidly administers a dose of naloxone.
A study found that more bystanders are stepping in to administer naloxone to people who’ve overdosed on opioids. Overdose deaths declined by 3% in 2023, and the nearly 25,000 patients received naloxone from an untrained bystander before paramedics arrived could have helped.
Experts believe the flow of deadly fentanyl has been disrupted, contributing to a drop in fatal overdoses. Researchers agree there has been an “unprecedented” drop in fentanyl purity in parts of the U.S., finding it cut or watered down far more aggressively.
Day 47
Covering 40,000 square feet, the world’s first vertical strawberry farm just opened in Virginia
A startup just opened the world’s first scalable, indoor vertical strawberry farm in Richmond, Virginia. The farm is designed to produce over 4 million pounds of strawberries every year.
The strawberries grow in a facility that uses advanced software to control temperature, light, and humidity — creating the ideal growing environment for the planet.
And that’s more important than ever, as not only is the agriculture sector a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate the climate crisis — the climate crisis itself has heavily impacted food systems globally.
Why is this good news? The driving force for recent innovations in farming is directly correlated to the mass crop death and heavy financial losses spurred by climate-related disasters. This innovative solution protects food systems from climate change issues while also protecting the environment from the harmful impacts of mass agriculture.
More Good News
Researchers found that grocery stores that donate expiring food make higher profits. Not only do donations boost profits by lowering costs, they improve the quality of food on the store’s shelves and increase revenue from food sales.
With droughts decimating crops, more resilient ‘climate blend’ grain is being used to make delicious bread. The U.S. has historically been susceptible to drought, but today, rising temperatures are leading to droughts that are more extreme.
Highly productive, man-made “floating gardens” in Mexico are ancient wonders of sustainable farming. The island-farms date back to the time of the Aztecs and proponents say they could provide an important, sustainable food source as Mexico City faces historic drought.
Day 46
Kentucky just banned the use of “conversion therapy” on LGBTQ+ minors
Kentucky’s governor became the latest to sign an executive order prohibiting the widely discredited practice of “conversion therapy” on LGBTQ+ minors, calling it a “a necessary step” to protect children.
Conversion therapy tries to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity through counseling and is opposed by medical groups after research showed it leads to an increased risk of suicide and depression.
In Kentucky, the Trevor Project found that 21% of LGBTQ+ young people reported being threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy. Young people who have already been subjected to the practice report experiencing anxiety and depression.
More Good News
A group of “stand-in parents” are supporting LGBTQ+ people at major life events. Dan Blevins created Stand In Pride to connect the LGBTQ+ community with other members and allies for emotional support or at life events like weddings and gradations.
Daniel Radcliffe is uplifting trans and nonbinary youth in The Trevor Project’s “Sharing Space” video series. In stark to the creator of the “Harry Potter” franchise that ignited Radcliffe’s stardom, the actor has become a beloved ally for LGBTQ+ youth.
Sharing her love for LGBTQ+ families during Pride Month, children’s creator Ms. Rachel reminded people to love their neighbor. The next generation’s Mister Rogers, Rachel Accurso’s sing-songy voice and sunny smile has won her 10 million followers on her Songs For Littles YouTube channel.
Day 45
A nonprofit in Africa is rewilding an entire herd of 2,000 white rhinos from a controversial breeding farm
African Parks, which manages national parks across the continent is rewilding 2,000 southern white rhinos from a controversial intensive rhino breeding project.
The herd represents 12% of the white rhino population alive today, and Africa Parks will relocate them to well-managed parks across the continent to ensure they’re protected, as poaching the animals for their horns is still a threat.
The organization will translocate 300 rhinos every year to maintain a sustainable relocation pace.
More Good News
An unarmed, all-women patrol is shutting down rhino poaching in South Africa. Rhino deaths have surged in South Africa, but the Black Mambas have reduced poaching by 76 percent within their area of operation since 2013.
New research shows a genetic breakthrough could help save a rare rhino species from extinction. Thanks to breakthroughs in genetic technology, a conservation scientist found that genetic samples frozen at the zoo contain enough genetic diversity to bring the northern white rhino back from extinction.
Nepal’s rhino population is at its highest in over 20 years, thanks to a pause on tourism allowing habitats to regenerate. In their latest count, the population of rhinos across four national parks in Nepal increased to 752 total, up by more than 100 from 645 animals in 2015.
Day 44
A nonprofit gives kids $100 and helps them turn it into thousands for charity
Inspired by a 12-year-old, Kristen Williams founded Kids Boost to help empower kids to become philanthropists and social entrepreneurs — teaching them to creatively raise money for causes they care about.
The organization gives kids $100 in “start-up funding” and they work with a one-on-one coach to raise funds for a charity they love.
On average, Kids Boost participants turn the initial $100 into $1,860 for deserving charities — helping them learn from an early age that kids and grownups alike can make a difference by doing what they love.
More Good News
Through their Tiny Heroes program, charity: water is empowering kids to raise money for clean water projects. In total, the organization has raised over $640 million towards the cause and has funded over 91,414 projects in 29 countries.
Groundbreaking new AI technology is helping reduce wildlife collisions on roadways — and it was invented by teen girls. A project created by four teen girls in Colorado uses AI and infrared technology to alert drivers of oncoming wildlife.
A high school senior created an organization to help get young people more politically engaged. Shreya Joshi created a series of workshops to teach students about local politics and founded Project TEAL, a “student-led movement to revitalize democracy.”
Extra credit: Meet 8 kids changing the world for the better
Day 43
A Michigan zoo released more than 1,200 endangered butterflies back into their natural habitat
Once common across the Midwest, the Poweshiek skipperling is a tiny butterfly species that’s now considered one of the rarest butterflies in the world. As of 2023, conservationists estimate only a few hundred remain in the wild due to factors like pesticide use and habitat loss.
Now, their numbers are rebounding thanks to the conservation work of the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan and its partners — they just celebrated the release of 1,200 of the butterflies in their natural habitat.
The zoo’s breeding program successfully bred more than 45 pairs of the butterflies, and then returned them to places they hadn’t been seen in years.
More Good News
A biologist single-handedly brought the rare California Pipevine swallowtail back to San Francisco in his own backyard. Although the California pipevine butterfly was still common near the coast, they had all but disappeared from San Francisco thanks to its host plant disappearing.
The nickel-sized Fender’s blue butterfly population has quadrupled in size in Oregon. Downlisted from endangered to threatened, it’s only the second insect to have recovered in the history of the Endangered Species Act.
A bright orange butterfly is making a return to Northern California thanks to a four-year conservation effort. The species was listed as federally endangered in 1997, but numbers continued to decline and over the past 15 years, only 92 sightings of the Behren’s silverspot butterfly have been documented.
Day 42
In 2023, 428 gigawatts of solar were installed worldwide — more than the previous two years combined
In 2023, solar panel installations shattered previous world records with 428 gigawatts of total capacity installed worldwide. That figure marks a 76% increase over 2022 when 243 GW of solar panels were installed worldwide.
In 2021, the figure was 175 GW — meaning more capacity was installed last year alone than in the previous two years (which were also record-breaking) combined.
One of the key drivers of this progress is that utility-scale solar remains the cheapest option for new electricity generation in most countries.
And importantly, the countries with the highest carbon emissions are leading the way in installations: the U.S. added 37 GW last year and China added 261 GW.
Other countries are also making notable progress, like Pakistan, which jumped from the 14th- to 5th-largest market for new solar. There, progress has been driven largely by rooftop solar.
More Good News
A threat to environmental and human health, over 100 U.S. cities have now banned gas-powered leaf blowers. The most powerful leaf blowers can produce sounds of up to 100 decibels of low-frequency noise, around the same as a Boeing 737 taking off.
Scientists created a new “living plastic” that can self-destruct in just 30 days. For comparison, a plastic bag from the grocery store can take up to 20 years to decompose, a plastic straw can take 200 years, and a plastic water bottle can take 450 years.
Quadrupling in the last decade, a new study found that 1 in 9 U.S. schools now use solar energy. With over 800 schools adding solar arrays in the 2022-2023 school year alone, over 6.2 million K-12 students now attend a school that utilizes solar power.
Day 41
Trials for the world’s first-ever lung cancer vaccine just launched across eight countries
Doctors have now officially started trials for the world’s first lung cancer vaccine in patients. Experts say it has “groundbreaking” potential to save thousands of lives from the world’s leading cause of cancer death, with about 1.8 million deaths every year.
The new vaccine uses similar mRNA technology as the COVID-19 vaccines — it instructs the body to find and kill cancer cells and prevents them from ever coming back.
About 130 patients in eight countries will participate in the trial, and the vaccine targets non-small cell lung cancer, the most common form of the disease.
More Good News
Thanks to declines in smoking and scientific advances, deaths from cancer are declining rapidly. Out of the 19 most common cancers in men, 11 of these conditions are causing less and less fatal consequences — and for women, 14 of 20 are experiencing a downward trend.
A new mRNA brain cancer vaccine can deliver treatments more effectively and teach children’s immune systems to fight back. Brain cancers remain among the most challenging tumors to treat because they often don’t respond to traditional treatments.
Proteins in milk and blood could soon help doctors detect breast cancer earlier. Early detection dramatically improves survival rates for breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women.
Day 40
A nonprofit provides free vet care for the pets of people experiencing homelessness or housing vulnerability
Project Street Vet is a nonprofit that provides free veterinary care, treatment, and support to the pets of individuals experiencing homelessness or housing vulnerability.
Founder Dr. Kwane Stewart had been doing this work for over a decade before starting the charity in 2020. He walks areas of high homelessness, like Skid Row in Los Angeles, looking for pets and pet parents in need of care.
The organization prioritizes a no-judgment approach, ensuring that pets and people are assisted with no questions asked — providing free exams, vaccines, flea and tick medications, supplies, and even emergency help.
More Good News
Conservation dogs are training for their future jobs with an anti-poaching team at a UK zoo. Fudge and Rocket will join anti-poaching canine units that protect endangered species all across Southern Africa.
A TikTok trend highlighted the before-and-after transformations of adopted shelter dogs. Whether they were having a snooze alongside their new owners or joyfully playing in the snow, the photos clearly showed how life is better in a forever home.
A car dealership in Las Vegas drives therapy dogs to people in need of mental health support. Subaru of Las Vegas partnered with local charity Michael's Angel Paws, a Nevada-based organization that trains service and therapy support dogs for community members facing physical or emotional challenges.
Day 39
Helping reduce delays for survivors, new tech is helping speed up DNA collection in sexual assault cases
While nearly half a million sexual assault cases are reported every year in both the U.S. and Canada, countless more go unreported. The most common reason for that is a lack of trust in the justice system, partly because of how long the process takes.
And that distrust is not misplaced: the “rape kit backlog” has long been an issue for survivors and anti-violence advocates. While law enforcement systems must change to address this — DNA collection is also vital.
Newly published research outlines a technique for analyzing DNA evidence that could radically streamline the forensics pipeline — helping reduce delays and bring justice to survivors faster.
Why is this good news? As it stands now, processing evidence in sexual assault cases is highly technical and there are lots of hurdles — which can take days or weeks. Much of this time is spent transporting evidence to the lab, but delays are also due to a large queue of cases requiring analysis. This new forensic tech helps speed things along.
More Good News
An AI device can detect high blood pressure through voice recordings with 84% accuracy. The disease has been dubbed the “silent killer” by the WHO, and it could now be detected just by using the sound of a patient’s voice.
With a 96% success rate, MIT scientists reversed opioid overdoses using a ‘Narcan sensor’ implant. Placed under the skin, the iSOS monitors vitals, and when it determines that an overdose has occurred, it rapidly administers a dose of naloxone.
Scientists developed 3D-printed “waffle stacks” that can remove 75% of “forever chemicals” from water. The structures — called "monoliths" — were surprisingly found to be more effective after multiple uses, making them a reusable and affordable water treatment option.
Day 38
For the first time in 50 years, a sub-Saharan African nation was declared malaria-free
With no new cases of local transmission in three years, Cape Verde was officially declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization — the first sub-Saharan African nation to achieve the milestone in 50 years.
This achievement has been years in the making in the small island nation, which strengthened its health systems and increased access to diagnosis and treatment of cases. It also worked to monitor and prevent malaria from transmitting to the island from travelers.
In 2022, 580,000 people in Africa died from malaria, making up 95% of fatalities worldwide. The first vaccine to prevent malaria is helping stop the spread of the disease, along with other prevention methods like mosquito nets.
More Good News
A “critical step” in the fight against the disease, the World Health Organization approved the first mpox vaccine for adults. It’s also working on an “access and allocation” method to respond to outbreaks and get the limited vaccines where they’re most needed.
The World Health Organization confirmed the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Pakistan. Trachoma is a disease caused by infection by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium and can result in irreversible blindness if left untreated.
Injected just twice a year, an antiviral drug prevented all cases of HIV in a trial of over 2,000 women. The Phase 3 trial result was better than all existing antivirals tested simultaneously, and could lead to greater uptake and treatment than daily pills.
Day 37
Violent crime in the U.S. declined by 15% in the first three months of 2024 — and the murder rate could see its largest annual decline ever
New statistics show that in the first three months of the year, violent crime dropped by 15.2% in the United States compared to the same time period in 2023. Murders declined by 26.4%, aggravated assaults by 12.5%, and robberies by 17.8%.
These declines held true in every region in the U.S. — and this latest data shows that the “historic decline” in violent crime we saw in 2023 is continuing this year.
Additionally, if the decline in the murder rate continues at its current pace, the U.S. could be on track to see its largest-ever annual decline.
Compared to 2023, murders in the first five months of the year have dropped by more than 40% in cities like New Orleans, Boston, Baltimore, and more.
More Good News
In line with a larger global trend, crime plummeted by close to 90% over 30 years in England and Wales. 78% of people in England and Wales think that crime has gone up in the last few years — but the data on actual crime shows the exact opposite.
Homicides in Mexico in 2023 were at their lowest level since 2016. Even in the country’s most violent state saw a significant decline last year — with 3,746 homicides in 2023, a 13.5% decline from 2022.
A study in Inianapolis found that greenspaces reduced the incidence of an assault with a gun by as much as 20%. The term “greenspace” refers to parks, gardens, meadows, trees, or other nature-filled community spaces in an otherwise urban area.
Day 36
Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage
In a “monumental step forward for LGBTQ+ rights,” Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. It’s the third place in Asia with marriage equality, following Taiwan and Nepal.
The country’s Senate overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill over the summer, with 130 senators voting in favor and only 4 members in opposition. In September, the king signed the bill into law.
Despite being a longtime haven for LGBTQ+ people, the country had not recognized same-sex marriages. The bill also grants same-sex couples adoption, inheritance rights, and more.
More Good News
More than 120 faith groups attended 50 Pride events in June to de-escalate extremist anti-LGBTQ+ protests. Experts with the Interfaith Alliance and the Southern Poverty Law Center helped train religious organizations to protect Pride events nationwide.
Under new federal rules in the U.S., LGBTQ+ employees can no longer be misgendered or denied bathrooms at work. It was the first time in 25 years that the the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued new rules on workplace discrimination.
A first-of-its-kind mental health hotline is hoping to reach more LGBTQ+ youth in crisis. Created in partnership with Crisis Text Line, FOLX is a nationwide LGBTQ+ digital healthcare service provider that helps LGBTQ+ people safely and affordably access care.
Day 35
In ‘the greatest recovery of a cat species ever achieved,’ the rarest wild cat in the world is now no longer endangered
The Iberian lynx is one of the rarest cat species in the world, and after 20 years of hard-won conservation efforts, it’s officially off the endangered species list.
In 2002, the species was brought to the brink of extinction, with only 94 Iberian lynxes remaining in Spain and disappearing entirely from Portugal, where it was declared locally extinct.
The main cause of the Iberian lynx’s decline was its disappearing food source, which was affected by agricultural production and disease, as well as by poaching and highway construction.
Why is this good news? The Iberian lynx’s recovery is proof of all the good that conservation efforts can do if we invest in them long-term. Conservationists focused on projects over the course of two decades and thanks to those efforts, the species’ population increased twenty-fold — so much that it was removed from the endangered species list entirely.
More Good News
A critically endangered “walking pinecone” was spotted in a West African country for the first time in 24 years. Due to habitat loss, deforestation, and poaching, all eight species of pangolins have been struggling for survival across Asia and Africa.
The “youngest-ever” pygmy blue whale was photographed, helping scientists learn more about the endangered species. Pygmy blue whales have long been a mystery to marine biologists, spending the majority of their lives underwater and swimming far from shore.
Scientists are saving endangered sea snails by setting them up on “speed dates.” High sea temperatures have kept endangered queen conch sea snails from testing the waters and finding mates, so scientists stepped in to help.
Day 34
A biologist single-handedly brought a struggling butterfly species back to San Francisco
Although the California pipevine butterfly was still common near the coast and in the Sierra foothills, they had all but disappeared from San Francisco. In the city, the species’ host plant — the California Pipevine — was extremely sparse.
Native butterflies have “really tight relationships with native plants” — some literally feed on a single native plant. Such is the case with the pipevine butterfly.
Wanting to see them back in his hometown, Tim Wong found the plant in the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park and was allowed to take home a few clippings of the plant.
Then, he sourced 20 California pipevine swallowtail caterpillars and brought them to feed on their favorite plant in his garden. They began pupating, forming a chrysalis, hatching, and laying eggs — fully supported in their new backyard habitat.
More Good News
A rare, nickel-sized butterfly population has quadrupled in size in Oregon. The Fender’s blue butterfly is only the second insect to have recovered in the history of the Endangered Species Act.
Thanks to a four-year conservation effort, an endangered butterfly is making a return to Northern California. Conservationist started by bringing back early blue violets, the only plant that Behren’s silverspot butterfly larvae and caterpillars can eat.
By preserving traditional landscapes, communities in Japan are helping protect a beautiful blue butterfly species. The landscapes are called satoyama, a mosaic of various ecosystems like grasslands, woodlands and human uses such as farms and rice fields.
Day 33
A study found that a simple blood test could predict a person’s heart disease risk 30 years early
Researchers found that a new approach to analyzing routine blood test results could accurately predict a person’s risk of heart disease up to 30 years early.
Rather than only looking at “bad” cholesterol levels to determine risk, researchers found that looking at two other “biomarkers” in the blood are important predictors of heart attack, stroke, and coronary heart disease.
Notably, the research looked at nearly 30,000 U.S. women, and while their findings would also likely apply to men, the focus was on women intentionally because “women tend to be under treated and underdiagnosed.”
→ Read more
More Good News
Faster and safer than traditional methods, a new gel-filled syringe that stops severe bleeding in seconds just got FDA approval. Especially in severe situations where a patient has suffered a gunshot wound or deep cuts, this innovative alternative will save lives.
A simple, new treatment is helping stroke survivors that suffer from an invisible disability known as spacial neglect. More than half of stroke survivors do not receive rehabilitation after the first days of advanced stroke care, but new techniques can help improve their function and freedom.
Scientists invented water-powered “electric bandages” help heal wounds faster than conventional methods. While electrical stimulation for wound healing isn’t new tech, but instead of hooking up a patient to an electric machine, the electric bandage is flexible, affordable, and easier to use.
Day 32
The National Forest Foundation reforested 21,000 acres of land and planted over 8 million trees in a single year
Since it was chartered by Congress in 1992, the National Forest Foundation has been a leading force in forest and grassland restoration and reforestation efforts — and it’s been a landmark year for the organization.
The NFF just announced that in just a year, it planted over 8 million trees — of 25 different species — and reforested over 21,000 acres of land. That’s about the equivalent to “roughly 198,450 NBA basketball courts worth of public lands.”
The NFF also does important wildfire prevention work, and in the past year has also raised $117 million towards fire mitigation in the North Yuba Landscape of the Tahoe National Forest. The mitigation efforts involve reducing a large number of trees (overcrowded forests lead to weaker trees) to prevent wide-spread forest fires.
Why is this good news? Pest infestations, drought, and wildfires make it difficult for forests to regenerate on their own, which is why NFF’s grant work is so vital. Tree planting and reforestation efforts lead to cleaner air, cleaner water, and healthier ecosystems.
More Good News
Achieving a major reforestation milestone, the Democratic Republic of Congo planted 90% of its 1 billion trees goal. The Congolese government program took place from 2019 to 2023 to address widespread deforestation, strengthen climate resilience, alleviate poverty, and protect biodiversity.
Formerly warring factions in Burundi are working together on a reforestation project. Burundi has just 6.6% of its original forests remaining, the legacy of a brutal civil war in which forests weren’t spared the violence inflicted by either side.
A carbon-curbing project in Kenya is getting sponsors to “adopt” trees to help keep them alive until they reach maturity. Plan participants commit to funding three years of tree care, and Kenya's natural forest cover has increased about 1.5% since 2018.
Day 31
The first in over three decades, California’s new marine sanctuary will protect 116 miles of coastline
More than 116 miles of California coastline, along with more than 4,500 square miles of offshore and coastal waters, are being designated as part of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.
It’s the third-largest marine sanctuary in the country, and the first to be designated in California in over three decades. It’s also the first “Indigenous-focused” sanctuary, a process that’s been in the works for many years.
The marine sanctuary will be the 17th in the National Marine Sanctuary system and part of the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative supporting local conservation efforts to preserve and restore 30% of the country’s lands and waters.
More Good News
Researchers are combining “grey” and “green” infrastructure systems to protect coastlines and grow coral reef habitats. The team is studying how artificial reef structures stand up to wind and waves and how well live corals planted on those structures survive and grow.
Reducing ocean noise protects the environment, saves marine life, and even benefits the shipping industry. In the Pacific Ocean alone, shipping noise has doubled every decade over the last 40 years.
Ten nations in the western Indian Ocean are creating a network of marine conservation areas to help protect 30% of the oceans by 2030. Currently, less than 10% of the area is protected protection, and a recent assessment found that all the coral reefs are at high risk of collapse in the next 50 years.
Day 30
A coalition of publishers, writers, and advocates joined a lawsuit to fight the state of Florida’s book bans
A recent PEN America study found that, in the first half of 2024, 72% of book objections in the U.S. came from Florida.
Authors like John Green, Jodi Picoult, and Angie Thomas all have books that have been banned in the state and now, they’re joining a coalition of publishers and advocates in filing a lawsuit challenging Florida House Bill 1069.
The law gives parents the ability to approve (or disapprove) what books schools could have in their libraries, requires Florida’s public schools to create a searchable list of all the materials in their libraries, and more.
The lawsuit aims to “restore the discretion of trained educators” in deciding what reading materials should be included in school libraries.
More Good News
A bestselling author is opening an independent bookstore in Florida dedicated to selling banned books. The Lynx will be a literary hub and independent bookstore devoted to selling challenged and banned books and titles by authors from marginalized groups.
Little Free Library just debuted a map to help locate banned books in areas most impacted by restrictions. As book banning accelerates across the U.S., this map encourages the library boxes to function as a “vital distribution point for these restricted books.”
The author of the most-banned book in America has navigated the experience by continuing to write stories that matter. Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer” is a graphic memoir that documents Kobabe’s journey with gender identity and sexuality from adolescence to adulthood.
Extra credit: Take action to fight book bans in the U.S.
Day 29
The number of children who have died from air pollution globally is down 53% since 2020
The most recent State of Global Air report was just published and it found that the death rate from air pollution in children under five globally decreased by 53% since 2000.
The majority of those deaths came from exposure to PM2.5, or tiny particles commonly produced by cars, trucks, and airplanes and a major component of wildfire smoke.
And while PM2.5 levels are decreasing or stabilizing in many parts of the world (a trend that will likely continue thanks to new WHO air pollution guidelines) — they’re up to four times higher in low- and middle-income countries.
The risk factor of death from air pollution is second only to malnutrition in children under five.
And while there were heartbreakingly still 8.1 million total deaths attributable to air pollution for all age groups globally, this is important progress to celebrate — because it means progress is possible, and we can save even more lives.
More Good News
After the city’s clean air zone went into effect, 4 in 10 kids started walking to school in London. When London restricted the volume of high-emitting vehicles roaming city streets carries, it knew it would bring quieter streets and cleaner air — but this benefit was a surprise.
A study found that the shift to mass adoption of electric vehicles could prevent millions of childhood asthma attacks. For the millions of children who live near highways especially, transitioning to zero-emission vehicles will improve their health — and the planet’s.
A breakthrough union contract for electric school bus workers is bringing better working conditions and cleaner air. Not only will factory employees be given guaranteed raises, new retirement benefits, and profit-sharing — they’ll be bringing cleaner transportation and healthier air to communities across the country.
Day 28
Thanks to Indigenous knowledge, caribou herds in British Colombia, Canada tripled in less than a decade
A study found that a wildlife recovery effort in British Columbia, Canada, has successfully increased a caribou herd from 38 individuals to 113 in less than a decade.
The success was thanks to two First Nations communities that partnered with Canadian scientists, the government, and private companies to reduce predators and care for new caribou calves while restoring more than 17,300 acres of habitat for caribou.
Their work to restore caribou herds continues and involves replanting trees on the protected land to rebuild an ecosystem conducive to the return of the caribou.
More Good News
An Indigenous tribe in California revived its beaver population to boost the Sierra Nevada mountain’s wildfire resilience. Beavers were once abundant in North America and bringing them back could have serious climate benefits.
Archaeologists and conservationists are working to bring a rare reptile back from the brink of extinction in Peru. The Lima leaf-toed gecko is found mostly in archaeological sites in the Peruvian capital, where it has become critically endangered.
Declared “virtually extinct” in 1992, 60 new baby Siamese crocodiles hatched in Cambodia. After their declared extinction, a tiny group was rediscovered in the remote Cardamom Mountains in 2000 — where the Indigenous population of the Chorng people had been protecting them for years.
Day 27
A report found that vaping levels among young people fell to the lowest level in a decade this year
Falling to about one-third of its 2019 peak (over 5 million young people), a report found that vaping levels among middle and high school students fell to the lowest level in a decade this year.
E-cigarette use dropped from 2.13 million students in 2023 to 1.63 million students in 2024, driven by lower e-cigarrete use among high school students in particular. Use among middle school students, while not significant from 2023 to 2024, has been declining since 2019.
Researchers attribute the decline to warning letters and civil penalties to retailers and others in the supply chain who sold products illegally to teens.
More Good News
The number of people smoking globally has dramatically declined in the past few decades. Smoking still kills millions every year, but the global share of people who smoke has kept falling in the 21st century, from 34% in 2000 to 23% in 2020.
A study found the shift to EVs could prevent millions of childhood asthma attacks. A widespread transition to EVs could avoid nearly 3 million asthma attacks and hundreds of infant deaths, in addition to millions of lower and upper respiratory ailments.
Trials for the world’s first-ever lung cancer vaccine just launched across eight countries. Experts say it has “groundbreaking” potential to save thousands of lives from the world’s leading cause of cancer death, with about 1.8 million deaths every year.
Day 26
A new study found that the risk of death for kidney donors has dropped by more than half in the last decade
In a study that looked at more than 164,000 kidney donors, researchers found that their risk of death has dropped by more than half in the last decade.
While the risks for a kidney donor have always been low, advances in surgery and medical care, along with more careful donor selection, have made it safer than ever before.
Kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organ, and an estimated 27,000 transplants are performed every year. As rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, the need for kidney donors has risen — around 90,000 people are waiting for a transplant in the U.S.
More Good News
A woman on her deathbed was given a record-breaking “honor walk” ahead of her organ donation surgery. An “Honor Walk,” occurs when donors are wheeled in a gurney to the operating room, as hospital staff, family, and loved ones stand in the hallway to bid them goodbye.
Scientists uncovered a way to convert blood types — opening the door to universal blood donation. Using enzymes produced by bacteria (that almost all of us have in our guts already!), the scientists were able to strip red blood cells of antigens and sugars that create distinctions between blood types.
Helping keep donated organs viable for longer, new devices could make transplants cheaper and more accessible. One of the devices, a hypothermic preservation system, can maintain the temperature and internal pressure of donor lungs for more than 15 hours.
Day 25
In the last few decades, core LGBTQ+ rights have become better protected in dozens of countries
Until the 1990s, no countries protected LGBTQ+ rights beyond allowing same-sex sexual acts — but in the last few decades, the world has made notable progress in the areas of adoption, marriage, gender identity, and more.
In 1992, Estonia became the first country to allow gender marker change without restrictions. In 1995, Canada became the first country to allow joint adoptions — more than 30 countries have done so since.
Later, in 2001, the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. And in 2011, Australia became the first country to recognize a non-binary gender on its passports.
While there is still a lot of progress to be made globally in protecting these core rights, it’s important to see (and celebrate) the progress we have made globally.
→ Read more
More Good News
Under federal rules in the U.S., LGBTQ+ employees can no longer be misgendered or denied bathrooms at work. It was the first time in 25 years that the the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued new rules on workplace discrimination.
Colorado’s prison system must now provide the same gender-affirming health care covered by state Medicaid. The result of a class action lawsuit, trans women must now also have the option to be housed with other women.
In the face of anti-trans legislation, LGBTQ+ lawmakers are fighting to protect trans rights. States like Maryland, Michigan, Colorado, and Maryland have all passed legislation to expand gender-affirming care, solidifying trans rights into the fabric of their constitutions.
Day 24
With vending machines and mobile libraries, a Baltimore librarian is bringing diverse books to young people
Baltimore librarian Araba Maze is providing diverse books for young people in the many “book deserts” in her community through her organization, Storybook Maze.
She started by hosting regular “Stoop Storytimes,” and giving away her own collection of books, but as she learned more about library barriers and book deserts, she learned that up to 300 children may be required to share just a single book.
It became clear that she needed to bring the library to the kids, instead of trying to get kids to come to the library. And that’s exactly what she did — bringing book vending machines and mobile book fairs to her community.
More Good News
After he was a victim of cyberbullying, the internet came together in support of TikTok’s favorite librarian. People left hateful comments on Mychal the Librarian’s videos, and he reminded “library friends” to respond with empathy, not more hate.
Libraries across the U.S. are installing “cubicles” for parents who need to study but can't find childcare. Public libraries are introducing desks with built-in play areas for young children, aiming to provide a supportive environment for parents who need to study.
Little Free Library just debuted a map to help locate banned books in areas most impacted by restrictions. As book banning accelerates across the U.S., this map encourages the library boxes to function as a “vital distribution point for these restricted books.”
Extra (good) credit reading: Why libraries are so important for people and communities
Day 23
Once on the verge of extinction, gray wolves are making a historic comeback in California
The last gray wolf in California was killed in 1924. Going without a gray wolf for nearly a century, in 2011 a lone wolf crossed into the state from Oregon. And since then, their numbers have been slowly rising.
Now, there are over 40 gray wolves in the state, with a new pack reported just this year. The rise in their numbers is thanks to protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act.
Wolves have a number of environmental benefits and are a key part of a healthy, balanced ecosystem. When 41 wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park, for example, there was a cascade of benefits for the surrounding ecosystem — for plants and animals alike.
What’s the nuance? While conservationists are celebrating this news, some farmers and ranchers consider them to be a hassle for their livestock. Still, California has a successful program to reimburse and help farmers and ranchers for losses they experience due to wolves. Additionally, wolves tend to stay away from livestock if they have other hunting options.
More Good News
Conservation efforts have helped humpback whales rebound from near-extinction. Humpback whales were almost entirely wiped out by commercial whaling and were one of the first species to be federally protected under the Endangered Species Act.
In “the greatest recovery of a cat species ever achieved,” the rarest wild cat in the world is no longer endangered. After 20 years of hard-won conservation efforts, the Iberian lynx officially off the endangered species list after dropping to only 94 remaining in 2002.
People are virtually adopting “water monsters” to help bring them back from the brink of extinction. The critically endangered axolotl is an aquatic salamander with a finned tail, external gill stalks, and a trademark smile.
Day 22
Thanks to global cooperation, the ozone layer is recovering faster than expected
In 1987, 198 nations around the world came together to ratify the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer, which phased out pollutants that deplete the ozone layer.
The ozone layer is essential to sustain life on Earth. Despite protests from businesses that profited from the manufacturing and use of chlorofluorocarbons — we prioritized preserving the atmosphere.
And a recent study found these efforts are already hugely paying off even faster than scientists expected — atmospheric levels of ozone-depleting chemicals have officially dropped for the first time ever.
Perhaps even more encouragingly, levels of the damaging chemical that replaced CFCs, hydrochlorofluorocarbons are down, too.
Scientists are celebrating the news, as it also indicates that humans are fully capable of bringing the planet back to pre-pollution norms — proving we can do it for climate-warming emissions, too.
→ Read more
More Good News
A report found that the renewable energy sector is on track to meet net-zero goals by 2030. What was once seen as a wildly daunting task — transitioning away from fossil fuels — is now happening at a faster pace every year.
Data shows that renewable energy was the leading source of electricity in the EU in 2023. Thanks to the rapid installation of new solar and wind projects, renewables accounted for 44.7% of all electricity production generating 1.21 million Gigawatt-hours- a 12.4% increase from 2022.
A technique called “wood vaulting” helps prevent planet-warming emissions and eliminates wildfire fuel. By burying downed trees, the technique both protects forests from wildfires spreading and stores carbon dioxide in the ground.
Day 21
For the first time ever, zero-carbon sources made up over 40% of the global electricity generated in 2023
The global clean energy transition is making record-breaking progress — and is projected to continue doing so. New reports showed that zero-carbon sources made up over 40% of electricity generated globally last year.
In 2023, hydroelectric power made up 14.7%, wind and solar made up a new record high of 13.9%, and nuclear made up 9.4%. The reports also found that wind and solar made up 91% of net new power capacity additions in 2023 — a significant increase over 83% in 2022.
Importantly, new fossil fuel projects made up just 6% of new capacity — the lowest amount ever.
More Good News
Offshore wind farms connected by an underwater power grid could revolutionize how the East Coast gets electricity. The East Coast of the U.S. is an ideal location to capture this power, and this solution solves its biggest problem: getting electricity from ocean wind farms to the cities and towns that need it.
Quadrupling in the last decade, a new study found that 1 in 9 U.S. schools now use solar energy. With over 800 schools adding solar arrays in the 2022-2023 school year alone, over 6.2 million K-12 students now attend a school that utilizes solar power.
Combining architecture and green technology, inventors created durable “walkable solar panels.” Though the company’s focus is on residential and commercial flooring, solar-paneled public walkways have slowly become more common around the world, from Tampa, Florida to Barcelona, Spain.
Day 20
Saving the species from extinction, a lab-grown starfish was just released into the wild for the first time
Due to sea star wasting disease, lower oxygen levels in seawater, and rising temperatures, starfish populations are at risk around the globe. One species, the sunflower star was nearly wiped out completely, with its numbers plummeting by over 90% in the last decade.
In 2019, marine biologist Jason Hodin stepped up to save the sea stars from extinction, carefully growing and raising several generations of sunflower starfish from a sample he rescued from the harbor.
And now, five years in the making, Hodin and his research team just made history by releasing their lab-grown starfish into the wild for the first time ever.
Why is this good news? From coral reefs to tidal pools, and seagrass meadows to kelp forests, starfish are the original keystone species in habitats around the globe. By munching on sea urchins and mussels, starfish help prevent overpopulation of both — increasing biodiversity and providing balanced access to resources for all kinds of organisms.
More Good News
Scientists discovered a new, rare coral species off the coast of the Arabian peninsula. Scientists are hopeful there may be countless coral and other primitive sea creatures waiting to be found — they’re crucial for sheltering organisms and regulating carbon dioxide levels in marine ecosystems.
New breakthrough research found tiny ocean creatures can capture and store carbon better than direct-air capture. Zooplankton are part of the “biological pump” that keeps hundreds of billions of tonnes of carbon in the ocean and out of the atmosphere.
Scientists discovered a new 200-legged animal that’s cleaning up deep sea trash. Like other wild sea cucumbers, this one roams the seafloor looking for a bite to eat at depths ranging from 70 feet to 1,400 feet.
Day 19
In a breakthrough for HIV treatment, a new drug trial showed a twice-annual injection is 100% effective against infection
A large clinical trial in South Africa and Uganda has shown that a twice-yearly injection of a new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug gives young women total protection from HIV infection.
This breakthrough gives great hope that we have a proven, highly effective prevention tool to protect people from HIV. Alongside greater advocacy, funding, and access to treatment, it could help continue the declining rates of HIV/AIDS cases and deaths globally.
There were 1.3 million new HIV infections globally in the past year. While that’s fewer than the 2 million infections seen in 2010, it’s still above the HIV new infection target that UNAIDS set for 2025 (which is fewer than 500,000 globally).
More Good News
The rate of new HIV infections in Namibia is five times lower than it was in 2002. Namibia has one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates, with an estimated 11.8% of adults living with HIV, and it’s the leading cause of death in the country.
Grassroots AIDS activists helped fight for and win access to affordable HIV treatments for people around the world. Grassroots AIDS activists helped fight for and win access to affordable HIV treatments for people around the world.
As long as leaders keep it a priority, experts say we can end the global AIDS crisis by 2030. Investments in treatments, education, and access to care led to a 58% reduction in new HIV infections among children from 2010 to 2022 — the lowest number since the 1980s.
Day 18
A group of teen girls created groundbreaking new AI technology to help reduce wildlife collisions on roadways
In Colorado, there are about 4,000 wildlife collisions annually, which costs an estimated $80 million for Colorado drivers every year. While wildlife crossings and other interventions have helped, this issue still puts the lives of people and animals at risk.
So, a group of four teen girls created a wildlife detection device using infrared cameras and artificial intelligence called “Project Deer.”
Once their AI model detects wildlife, the detection device sends a signal to a smaller device inside of a vehicle to warn drivers with a combination of light and sound, allowing them to slow down or stop.
More Good News
Experts are using AI to learn about, protect, and save mangroves — and by extension, the whole planet. It will identify key indicators of the health of mangroves and provide conservationists with better information to protect them, creating scalable and measurable solutions.
AI is helping revolutionize closed captioning for people with disabilities. Declining error rates in transcribed captions are helping make videos accessible to the estimated 15.5% of U.S. adults with difficulty hearing.
New AI breakthroughs are helping doctors make life-saving cancer and heart defect diagnoses faster than ever. They’ve already detected hidden heart conditions, autism at a younger age, and acute ear infections in babies and young children.
Day 17
Great Smoky Mountains National Park expanded its adaptive excursions, helping disabled visitors bike, camp, and kayak
After launching its free adaptive programming last year with four events, this year, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is offering even more: three hikes, two mountain bike rides, one kayak trip, and one night of camping.
Adaptive excursions like these are made possible by programs with experts who provide equipment and knowledge to park-goers, like Catalyst Sports, whose programs help make the outdoors more accessible.
The Smokies’ expanded accessible events are part of a larger movement by the National Park Service to make its parks more accessible to people of all abilities.
More Good News
Colorado’s 42 state parks offer blind visitors an app to help them safely explore on their own. The Aira app is an accessibility-assist tool, which uses the camera on a smartphone to connect users to a live, professionally-trained agent.
Showcasing the importance of inclusivity, a summer camp is designed specifically for blind, deafblind, and low vision campers. For 29 years, Camp Abilities has served over 1,400 campers who want to live, learn, and play in an environment that caters to their needs.
A state-of-the-art adaptive ski and snowboard center in Utah was designed and built for adventurers with disabilities. An upgrade from its double-wide trailer beginnings, the center’s 9,400-square-foot footprint will help it reach even more people.
A new trail network is the first in Vermont, and possibly the entire U.S., to be fully accessible to adaptive mountain bikes. The Driving Range is a collaborative effort from nonprofits, a donor who supplied the land, hundreds of volunteers — and it was spearheaded by two mountain bikers, one who rides an adaptive bike.
Day 16
The world has successfully eradicated smallpox — and many more life-threatening diseases are close to eradication
In 1980, smallpox was officially eradicated globally. While it’s the only human disease to have been completely eradicated — we’re close to eradicating even more, like guinea worm, measles, mumps, rubella, and polio.
Two out of three types of wild poliovirus have been eradicated, and while there were once tens of thousands of cases — today, there are fewer than 600 globally.
Global vaccination programs, water decontamination, health education, and sanitation programs are helping us get closer to eradication for more diseases.
More Good News
Beloved author, YouTuber, and global health advocate John Green is donating $1 million a year to fight tuberculosis. Despite being completely curable, tuberculosis is still the world’s deadliest disease, with around 1.6 million deaths annually.
With the potential to save thousands of lives, scientists created a capsule pill form of the cholera vaccine. Every year, there are 1.3 to 4 million cases of cholera that led to 143,000 deaths, mainly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
An “important step” in fighting the disease, the World Health Organization authorized the first mpox vaccine for adults. Right now, over 120 countries have confirmed more than 103,000 cases since the mpox outbreak began two years ago, and heartbreakingly, 723 people have died.
Day 15
A study found that trans people who receive hormone treatment overwhelmingly don’t regret it
Contrary to legislative efforts to ban gender-affirming health care for transgender teens — overwhelmingly, teens who recieve puberty blockers and hormone treatment don’t later regret it. In fact, rates of regret may even be declining as treatment methods improve.
A review of 27 studies involving almost 8,000 teens and adults who had surgeries found that on average, just 1% expressed regret. Among those who did, for some the regret was temporary.
And even among the rare cases of those who have detransitioning or reversal surgeries — regret is not always involved. Rather, they felt the gender-affirming treatment they received helped them better understand their gender-related care needs.
What’s the nuance? The research also found that comprehensive psychological counseling before starting treatment, along with family support, is a critical part of gender-affirming health care, and helps reduce rates of regret.
More Good News
A 2022 survey found that 94% of trans Americans said that they were happier than ever post-transition. Over 92,000 trans people who identified as binary or nonbinary were surveyed, making it the biggest data set ever collected on trans people in the U.S.
A transgender TikToker responded to hate comments with a joyful approach — dancing to the Macarena. Ernie Thompson initially ignored the hateful comments, until he realized he turn them into something good, bring people together, and even make money.
Trans professional athletes are advocating for trans youth participation in sports. Their efforts are in response to legislation being written and passed across the United States that bans trans children from participating in sports.
Day 14
A physicist has written over 1,600 Wikipedia bios for “unknown” and ignored women in science
Passionate about getting more women and girls in STEM fields, Jessica Wade isn’t setting up “whiz-bang” science experiments in schools — she’s starting with visibility.
Wade has written more than 1,600 Wikipedia articles about ignored women scientists who have long gone unrecognized by their colleagues, employers, and the public.
According to Wade, this is a critical first step in getting girls and students of color, especially, who are “already interested” in science to be aware of the different careers available to them — and they need mentorship.
Why is this good news? Women make up just 28% of the U.S. workforce in STEM, and earn significantly less than their male colleagues. The critical areas of research and development that STEM fields touch need better representation.
More Good News
Groundbreaking new AI technology is helping reduce wildlife collisions on roadways — and it was invented by teen girls. A project created by four teen girls in Colorado uses AI and infrared technology to alert drivers of oncoming wildlife.
A woman-owned startup just launched a line of sustainable PPE products designed specifically for women in STEM. ArmorSui’s products include gender-inclusive lab coats, reusable isolation gowns, and fire-resistant hijabs.
Black women are launching digital startups aimed at reducing health disparities. With only 3% of active physicians are Black women, a wave of new digital platforms is trying to make it easier to find them.
Day 13
In a milestone for the critically endangered species, a baby California condor has just hatched in San Diego
The California condor — the largest bird in North America — went extinct in the wild in 1987. But a new bundle of joy has now hatched at the San Diego Zoo.
It’s the 250th egg to be hatched at the zoo. It was born to mom Mexwe, and dad Xol-Xol, the first California condor brought into human care under the California Condor Recovery Program in 1982.
There are now approximately 275 free-flying condors in California, Utah, Arizona, and Baja California — thanks largely to the conservation work of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
More Good News
The size of a stack of sticky notes, a critically endangered bird species is making a huge comeback. The Florida grasshopper sparrow is native to Florida, found nowhere else on the planet, and named for its buzz-like birdsong.
Experts are releasing “Keurig pods” filled with mosquitos in a national park to help save Maui’s native birds. Colorful native forest birds called honeycreepers are found in Hawaii’s Haleakalā National Park — and exist nowhere else on Earth.
Thanks to successful rewilding efforts, Brazil’s most trafficked, endangered bird is making a comeback. A conservation project is working to conserve the species through research and education while collaborating with bird keepers and breeders to bring the species back to the wild.
Day 12
A new report found that renewables will officially surpass coal in energy production in 2025
Due to an increase in heatwaves around the world, the International Energy Agency’s new report predicts electricity demand will see record-high growth rates.
Not only are renewables tasked with replacing fossil fuels — they’re also needed to meet that rise in electricity demand. And they’re up to the task: the IEA predicts the amount generated by renewable energy sources will increase from 30% in 2023 to 35% in 2025.
While solar will meet around half of the growth in demand on its own in the coming years, combined with wind, it will meet three-quarters of the growth. Thanks to explosive growth in renewable electricity generation — the IEA predicts it will officially surpass coal next year.
More Good News
“Imaginative” nonviolent action from activists helped bring about “the end of coal” in New England. Following lawsuits and pressure from climate activists, Granite Shore Power announced it would “voluntarily” stop burning coal at two power stations in New Hampshire.
New EPA regulations close loopholes that have allowed coal-fired power plants to pollute the air and water for decades. While clean energy alternatives are rapidly growing, fossil fuel plants still generate 60% of the U.S. electricity supply — the new rules will help address the pollutants they produce.
A job training and placement program for former coal workers in Kentucky just got $40 million in funding. The Shaping Our Appalachian Region plan will advance local industries, small business support, and job placement for people in recovery, former coal workers, and more.
Day 11
The first statewide program of its kind, Colorado will offer in-person voting for eligible voters who are incarcerated
After finding that eligible voters who were incarcerated weren’t commonly voting due to obstacles, Colorado passed a first-of-its-kind bill mandating election officials bring voting services to detention centers and jails.
In Colorado, while people serving felony convictions aren’t eligible to vote, those awaiting trial or serving time for misdemeanors are.
Now, around 61 jails and detention centers across Colorado will make it easier to vote by offering in-person voting for the 2024 general election in November.
More Good News
Two formerly incarcerated firefighters are helping others become professional firefighters, too. The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program helps people use the skills they gained fighting fires in prison to build full-time — and fully paid — wildland firefighting careers.
A small, social justice-focused apparel company specifically hires formerly incarcerated people and their families. Formerly incarcerated people face continuous harm and struggle to access essentials like employment, health care, nutritious food, and housing.
Working to improve the system that couldn’t help him, a formerly incarcerated man is helping reduce recidivism rates. Jason Wang experienced the brunt of the injustices embedded in the criminal justice system and the systematic disproportionalities people of color face.
Day 10
Worldwide tree cover grew by 2.24 million square kilometers over the course of three decades
According to a study published in “Nature,” worldwide tree cover actually grew by 2.24 million square kilometers — the size of Texas and Alaska combined — over the course of 35 years.
Researchers found that tree cover loss in the tropics was dominated by tree cover gain in other regions, driven by agricultural abandonment in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America, rising temperatures allowing forests to grow closer to the north and south poles, and a massive tree-planting program in China.
While this is great news and good progress to celebrate — it’s also important to note that they also confirmed large-scale loss of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems, particularly in the tropical rainforests, so it’s important we continue to fight deforestation.
More Good News
The National Forest Foundation planted over 8 million trees in a year, reforesting over 21,000 acres of land. Pest infestations, drought, and wildfires make it difficult for forests to regenerate on their own, so tree planting and reforestation efforts are essential.
Achieving a major reforestation milestone, the Democratic Republic of Congo planted 90% of its 1 billion trees goal. To strengthen climate resilience, alleviate poverty, and protect biodiversity, a Congolese government program aspired to plant 1 billion trees between 2019 and 2023.
Tucson, Arizona is planting a million trees to combat climate change and improve the health of residents, wildlife, and the watershed. Helping the country’s third fastest-warming city adapt to a rapidly changing climate, the city’s commitment is part of a global effort to plant 1 billion trees.
Day 9
A family-owned restaurant in the Bronx is distributing over 500 free meals a day to recently arrived immigrants
In 2009, after immigrating from Oaxaca, Mexico in 1992, Natalia Méndez and her husband, Antonio Saavedra rented a space in the Bronx borough of New York City to open a restaurant — La Morada.
At first, it operated like a standard restaurant, until Natalia realized that New Yorkers were going to need to eat during the pandemic. So, they started making “the root soup” and on just the first day, the free soup meals were gone in an hour. Eventually, they were making upwards of 800 meals a day — distributing 5,000 in a week.
And the concept stuck. In addition to its standard menu items, including enchiladas, tacos, stuffed chiles, nachos, and more — La Morada gives out more than 500 meals for free every day to newly arrived immigrants in the city. Natalia calls herself the “mother to all those who are hungry.”
→ Read more
More Good News
Instead of wasting it, an app lets people buy surplus food from restaurants and stores. Too Good To Go addresses both access and affordability of healthful foods plus the environmental impact of sending food to landfills.
Helping make affordable meals more accessible, a home chef is teaching people to stretch $100 of groceries over 30 days. While it started as a creative challenge, Rebecca Chobat realized just how vital her recipes were for families struggling to afford groceries across the country.
Earlier this year, World Central Kitchen reached the milestone of serving 22 million meals in Gaza. Despite the challenges posed by intense fighting and the complexities of aid distribution in the region, WCK has proven resilient in its commitment to providing essential food assistance.
Day 8
A report found that more people are surviving cancer than ever before in the U.S.
Over the course of three years, the number of cancer survivors in the U.S. increased by more than a million people. In total, as of January 2022, there were 18 million total cancer survivors — and that figure is expected to increase to 26 million by 2040.
That’s a remarkable jump from just a handful of decades prior — in 1971, there were just 3 million cancer survivors in the U.S. For all cancers combined, the five-year survival rate increased from 49% in the mid-1970s — to nearly 70% from 2011 to 2017.
The factors most driving the improvement in outcomes: the decline in smoking and improvements in early detection and treatment of various cancers.
More Good News
A groundbreaking at-home cervical cancer screening test received ‘breakthrough’ approval from the FDA. Self-collect screening methods like the Teal Wand have put Australia on track to completely eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern by 2035.
Scientists developed an mRNA vaccine that can deliver treatments more effectively in children with brain cancer. Because many chemotherapies are unable to penetrate the protective barrier around the brain, brain cancers remain among the most challenging tumors to treat — especially in children.
Trials for the world’s first-ever lung cancer vaccine have now launched across eight countries. Experts say the vaccine has “groundbreaking” potential to save thousands of lives from the world’s leading cause of cancer death, with about 1.8 million deaths every year.
Extra credit: Read about 11 medical breakthroughs that could forever change cancer treatment.
Day 7
In another milestone, the 7th person in the world has now likely been cured of HIV
Joining just six other people in the world, a man in Germany has likely been cured of HIV. Treated for leukemia with a stem cell transplant in 2015, he’s now the seventh person in the world to be in remission.
Since he stopped taking antiretroviral drugs in 2018, there has been no HIV detected in his body, leading experts and scientists to believe he has officially been cured.
To catch this HIV was initially a death sentence, but today, thanks to antiretroviral and pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs it can be kept in check. While scientists keep inching closer to one — like in this case — there is still no cure.
More Good News
In a breakthrough for HIV treatment, a new drug trial showed a twice-annual injection is 100% effective against infection. Alongside greater advocacy, funding, and access to treatment, it could help continue the declining rates of HIV/AIDS cases and deaths globally.
Namibia is on track to hit targets to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic before its 2030 deadline. Namibia has one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates and it’s still the leading cause of death in the country, with women most impacted.
Grassroots AIDS activists fought for affordable HIV treatments around the world — and they won. Today, PEPFAR is working in over 50 countries and since 2003, the program has invested over $100 billion into the global fight against AIDS.
Day 6
Human rights are better protected in every part of the world than a century ago
According to recently released data, human rights are better protected in all regions of the world in 2023 than they were 100 years ago.
While progress hasn’t been linear, and each region has experienced setbacks, the overall trend is more human rights protected when compared to a century ago.
The positive progress also holds true when weighted for countries with larger populations. At the same time, there’s still room for progress in regions like Africa and Asia, which haven’t made as significant of progress.
But this data makes it clear: progress is possible.
More Good News
Thailand became the first South-East Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage. The new law gives same-sex couples the ability to have children through IVF and make emergency medical decisions for their spouse.
France became the only country in the world to constitutionally guarantee the right to an abortion. A critical, life-saving piece of reproductive health care, the world-first measure was overwhelmingly approved in a 780-72 vote.
Young people in Hawaii just forced the state to commit to a transportation decarbonization plan. The agreement comes two years after 13 Hawaiian youth sued the state for failing to protect their “constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment.”
Day 5
Despite a rise in fires, deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is at its lowest level since March 2018
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon continued to plummet in May, reaching the lowest level since March 2018. Deforestation that month was around 501 square kilometers — or about 147 times the size of Central Park in New York City.
That may sound like a lot (it is!), but it represents a 54% decline from the same time last year. Year to date, 1,182 square kilometers of the rainforest have been cleared — down 40% from this point in 2023.
This good progress is despite the simultaneous rise in forest fires due to extreme drought.
More Good News
A group of Indigenous women in Ecuador is preserving their culture and protecting the Amazon from illegal mining. Their unique approach includes not only physically guarding their territory, but also defending their culture, ancestrality, language, education, and health.
Indigenous communities in northern Peru are using tech tools to track and report illegal deforestation in the Amazon. Members of nearly 40 Indigenous communities were given training to use smartphone mapping apps that receive early deforestation alerts.
Indigenous groups in Colombia are training the next generation to defend and preserve the Amazon. It’s part of an effort to keep young people in the forest so knowledge is passed on to future generations and a new era of leaders emerges.
Day 4
A new study found that cooperation among strangers has increased since the 1950s
Most people tend to think that people are growing further apart, isolated, and individualistic — but that’s actually not what an analysis of 61 years of data shows.
Newly published research from the American Psychological Association shows that cooperation among strangers has gradually increased in the U.S. since the 1950s.
The researchers analyzed 511 studies conducted in the United States between 1956 and 2017 with a total of more than 63,000 participants. It found a small, gradual increase in cooperation, which could be linked to increases in urbanization, societal wealth, income inequality and the number of people living alone.
Why is this good news? As the lead researcher put it: “Greater cooperation within and between societies may help us tackle global challenges, such as responses to pandemics, climate change and immigrant crises.”
More Good News
After a weatherman had an on-air panic attack, his coworkers stepped in to help while he recovered. The now-viral clip illustrates beautifully the difference a supportive work environment can make for those with anxiety — or any kind of mental health struggle.
To help extend the life of everyday and beloved objects alike, a Toronto man is offering free 3D-printed repairs. Morley Kert takes his beloved 3D printer on field trips to public spaces to help community members fix everything from sunglasses to water bottles.
After passing away from ovarian cancer, a New York woman raised over $1 million to forgive the medical debt of strangers. When Casey McIntyre passed away in 2023, she wanted to help others, starting a now-viral memorial and fundraising campaign with Undue Medical Debt.
Day 3
With over 500 nests, sea turtles broke a 42-year record in Florida thanks to years of conservation efforts
With its sandy beaches and subtropical waters, Florida is home to one of the largest loggerhead sea turtle nesting populations in the world.
Despite living up to 70 years, loggerheads have been on the decline due to ocean pollution, human interference, and the gradual destruction of their nesting habitats. They’re protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.
But on the Gulf coast of Florida, Anna Maria Island just celebrated a huge milestone for sea turtle conservation when volunteers counted 546 nests on the island, breaking a 42-year record for the island.
And it’s thanks to conservation efforts that happened 25 years ago.
More Good News
Georgia also made history with the state’s largest-ever endangered sea turtle release. The 34 turtles had spent months at aquariums undergoing care for hypothermia-related conditions, like pneumonia, dehydration, and trauma.
Thanks to extensive conservation efforts, Bangladesh has seen the highest number of olive ridley turtle eggs this year. Those efforts included building awareness among local people and local conservation groups vigilantly ensuring favorable conditions for the species.
Researchers and locals are combining technology and tradition to study and protect sea turtles in critical nesting grounds. Uninhabited Poilão Island in Guinea-Bissau is Africa’s most important nesting ground for green sea turtles, and locals have long limited access to it.
Day 2
Achieving a major reforestation milestone, the Democratic Republic of Congo has planted 90% of its 1 billion trees goal
The Democratic Republic of Congo loses 500,000 hectares (1.2 million acres) of forest cover every year due to shifting cultivation, mining, and illegal and informal logging.
To address this widespread deforestation, a Congolese government program aspired to plant 1 billion trees between 2019 and 2023, aiming to strengthen climate resilience, alleviate poverty, and protect biodiversity.
While they didn’t meet their goal, they reached a remarkable 90% of their target — and the organization behind the reforestation effort plans to continue planting more trees even after the government program comes to an end.
More Good News
“Reforestation hubs” are making sure trees that are cut down go on to serve another useful purpose. With an estimated 38 million trees cut down in the U.S. annually, organizations have stepped up with creative solutions to save the wood, reduce carbon emissions, and create jobs.
The U.S. National Forest Foundation planted over 8 million trees — of 25 different species — and reforested over 21,000 acres of land. Pest infestations, drought, and wildfires make it difficult for forests to regenerate on their own, and their efforts have led to cleaner air, cleaner water, and healthier ecosystems.
To fight climate change and improve the health of residents, wildlife, and the watershed, Tuscon, Arizona is planting 1 million trees. The city is prioritizing tree planting in low-income communities, which are disproportionately burdened by the city’s urban heat island effect.
Day 1
The World Health Organization approved a malaria vaccine for use in children for the first time — it will save millions of lives
In 2019 alone, 386,000 Africans died from malaria — 274,000 of them were children under five, according to the World Health Organization.
For the first time in history, the WHO has approved a malaria vaccine for children after a successful pilot scheme in three African countries: Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. It's now being administered in even more countries.
While the world has made tremendous progress in eradicating malaria, it still impacts millions of people — this breakthrough vaccine is poised to save so many lives, primarily young children.
More Good News
Achieving a major milestone in the country, 10,000 women have been certified to help fight malaria in Rwanda. Malaria is the seventh leading cause of death in Rwanda, leading to a widespread community effort to protect families and communities from the disease.
With 30 years of work behind him, the scientist behind the anti-malaria vaccine is hopeful we can control malaria. Adrian Hill thinks that low-cost, effective vaccines can bring deaths down to 200,000 by the end of the decade — and full eradication in the 2030s.
The latest in the global rollout of the malaria vaccine, Mozambique just introduced it into routine immunization. It's a major step in the fight against malaria worldwide, with 11 countries in Africa now offering the life-saving vaccine.
