Every day the Good Good Good team collects the best good news in the world and shares it with our community. Here are the highlights for this week!
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The Best Positive News We’re Celebrating This Week —
A boxer just made history as the first-ever athlete to win a medal for the Refugee Olympic Team
On Sunday, boxer Cindy Ngamba beat France’s Davina Michel to become the first-ever medal-winning athlete for the Refugee Olympic Team, earning bronze.
Ngamba, who was also the team’s flagbearer during the opening ceremony, took up boxing at 15 years old and came out as gay when she was 18. She competes on the Refugee Olympic Team because in her home country of Cameroon, homosexuality is banned and if she were to return, she could be sent to prison.
The Refugee Olympic Team has given refugee athletes a place to compete at the Games since 2016 — it was created for competitors just like Ngamba, who have been forced to flee their country.
Why is this good news? Refugees and displaced people all over the world have hopes and dreams, and deserve to pursue them in safety and freedom — no matter where they live. Ngamba’s historic achievement shines a light on that reality — and serves as an important reminder for us all to continue the fight for human rights around the world.
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Severe food insecurity dropped by 85% last year in Brazil — from 8% of the population to 1.2%
A newly published report from the United Nations showed that severe food insecurity dropped significantly in Brazil last year.
In total, 2.5 million people went hungry in the country in 2023, down from 17.2 million in 2022 — an 85% decline, and a remarkable 14.7 million fewer people facing food insecurity. As of last year, 1.2% of the population faces food insecurity, down from 8% in 2022.
Severe food insecurity leads to acute hunger, which, when experienced frequently can lead to severe physical and mental health issues — especially among young children, who see impacts in development and cognitive function.
While there are 14.7 million reasons to celebrate in Brazil, the same progress hasn’t been seen globally, with an estimated 733 million people experiencing hunger in 2023 — still a decline over the 735 million reported in 2022, but room for much more progress.
The first zero-emission hydrogen-powered hybrid train in the U.S. just arrived in California
The zero-emission, hydrogen-powered hybrid FLIRT H2 train broke a Guinness World Record earlier this year for the longest distance traveled by a train of its kind on a single charge — 1,741 kilometers.
And now, it’s made its arrival in San Bernardino, California. While it will be used on a 9-mile stretch as a pilot case, the state plans to use them all across its Metrolink system if it goes well. And with only water vapor for emissions, passengers will enjoy a cleaner, planet- and people-friendly commute starting later this year.
While similar environmentally-friendly trains run on narrower tracks, this one is designed to work on existing railroad tracks, making it easier to integrate into existing infrastructure.
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More good car-free news:
- From New York City to Houston, urban walkability is gaining a (literal) foothold across the U.S.
- Building around 47 miles this year alone, Chicago is on track to complete 150 miles of new bike paths by 2025.
- Cities closed streets to cars during the pandemic, and even years later — they’re staying that way
A group of Indigenous women in Ecuador are preserving their culture and protecting the Amazon from illegal mining
A group of Indigenous women in Ecuador first decided to come together to increase their families’ income by making and selling handicrafts, but when their territory was increasingly threatened by mining, they stepped up to make a difference.
Now, the “Yuturi Warmi” are the first Indigenous guard led by Kichwa women in all of Ecuador. Over 40 members are organized against all forms of interference in their territory, including the contamination of their rivers and the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.
But it’s their approach that’s unique and important: it includes not only physically guarding their territory from illegal mining, but also defending their culture, ancestrality, language, education, and health.
Just 10 months after a beloved, iconic tree was cut down due to vandalism, it’s started regenerating
Last fall, rangers and visitors on the Hadrian’s Wall Path in northern England were shocked and devastated to see the path’s iconic, 200-year-old Sycamore Gap tree had been cut down. Police deemed it an act of vandalism, and people mourned the loss of the landmark.
Since the tree was so well cared for and healthy, experts hoped it would regenerate. And now, just ten months later, those hopes have been realized: small chutes of new growth have begun bursting from the tree’s trunk.
The tree’s caretakers are now protecting the tree’s stump and root zone so that the new growth is given the best chance to survive and continue the tree’s long, storied history.
Why is this good news? While it’s devastating that the tree was cut down in the first place, it offers a larger message about our responsibility to preserve and protect nature — whether it’s one tree or an entire forest. When given the space and opportunity, nature will thrive — good news for the planet and for people.
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A climber with stage 4 colon cancer summited Yosemite’s Half Dome to raise awareness for cancer screenings
When nature photographer Kirk Keeler was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer two and a half years ago, he made a promise to himself: To climb Yosemite’s notoriously challenging Half Dome while he still could.
Keeler didn’t just climb the cable route most well-known to hikers but instead opted for a roped climb up Snake Dike on the edge of the rock formation.
The climb was a big undertaking, but his ultimate goal was even bigger and better: To raise awareness for cancer screenings. He hopes to prevent others from enduring what he’s had to.
A filmmaker joined Keeler on his journey to the summit and is turning it into a short film — sharing Keeler’s goal to raise awareness for cancer screenings.
Sea lions are helping researchers collect video data about habitats and ecosystems in the waters of southern Australia
In a recent study, researchers detailed their discovery of six benthic — or underwater — habitats covering 5,000 square kilometers. They came by these habitats with a bit of help from sea lions.
Venturing into waters previously unmapped, eight adult female sea lions were outfitted with tiny, lightweight cameras attached to neoprene patches glued to their backs. It’s a much less costly alternative than using underwater cameras — and much more effective.
Exploring their own natural habitats, the data the sea lions collected helped the researchers map critical habitats for the endangered species — as well as help them better understand habitat distribution and biodiversity, and contribute to conservation efforts.
More animals doing good:
- Thanks to their tolerance for deep waters and ability to navigate rough currents, seals are helping climate scientists gather vital ocean data to fight climate change.
- Simply by eating sea urchins and destructive shellfish, sea otters are keeping kelp forests healthy and coastal erosion at bay.
- After getting in a round of practice at the zoo, a team of conservation dogs will go on to fight the poaching of endangered species.
‘World-changing’ solar tech can harvest energy from any light source and could eliminate cords and batteries
Based in Sweden, a company has created durable, flexible miniature solar cells that could soon find their way onto everyday items, from keyboards and headphones to speakers and bike helmets — a “world-changing” development that could mean the end of batteries and even power cords.
The lack of light during the winter months in Sweden inspired Exeger’s co-founders to look for other sources of power for photovoltaic cells — from direct sunlight to candlelight, and even moonlight.
They’re not sensitive to partial shading (unlike traditional photovoltaic panels), are waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, and their patented skin-like material can morph into almost any material, opening it up to use on a huge range of products.
Why is this good news? Electronics giant Samsung estimates that TV remotes alone are responsible for 3.1 billion disposable batteries being thrown away every year. It estimates that switching to photovoltaic energy could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by about 6,000 tons every year.
Good as Gold
The 2024 Olympics wrap up in Paris this weekend, and there have been so many inspiring, history-making moments at the Games. The Refugee Olympic Team earned its first-ever medal, gymnastics had its first podium made up of all Black women, and more.
Here are some more good, can’t-miss moments from Paris:
- Trans nonbinary runner Nikki Hitlz became the first openly transgender and nonbinary athlete to make an individual Olympic final (they race on Saturday!).
- Flava Flav (a.k.a. USA Water Polo’s hype man) helped a collegiate athlete and Olympian make sure their rent was paid.
- The Team USA gymnastics team is getting mental health support from the goodest boy.
- They’re also rebuilding trust with the doctors they deserved all along.
- There were so many beautiful moments of LGBTQ+ pride and love on display: from celebratory kisses (and more kisses) to proposals.
- The Games (and winning medals) were extra special and significant for war-torn countries like Ukraine.
- Just as Paris 2024 promoted sustainability, the IOC also awarded Olympic committees, international federations, and individual athletes for their climate action.
- Representation in the pool, on the track, and on the field inspired young athletes (2036 Games, here she comes).
The 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony is on Sunday, August 11 at 2:00 PM ET. But don’t cancel your Peacock subscription just yet: the party is just getting started!
An 18-year-old in Oklahoma’s annual back-to-school fundraiser has distributed over 33,000 book bags and $1.3 million in school supplies
Reed Marcum is a 4-H teen from Oklahoma, and he just hosted the 2024 Michael Miller Book Bag Giveaway, a massive annual charity event for the back-to-school season.
At this year’s event alone, 6,000 book bags were distributed to students and families in the community. In its 9 years, the event has given away over 33,000 bags total, along with $1.3 million in school supplies.
And it’s a source of pride and excitement for the community for the back-to-school season, which extends even to nearby states.
Marcum himself was also a recipient of the 2024 4-H Youth In Action Awards for his community projects that have collectively raised more than $3.5 million in funds and donated items.
Marcum’s 4-H mentor acknowledged that his “commitment to his community is inspiring” and it’s had a massive impact.
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More good news of the week —
The UK government just announced it’s making a record investment in renewable energy this year. The majority of the funding will be available to develop offshore wind power, which the Labour government says it wants to quadruple by 2030.
Baltimore saw a 36% decline in homicides and a 30% decline in non-fatal shootings in the first half of 2024. These statistics come after a 20% reduction in homicides the previous year, indicating a sustained positive shift in Baltimore's safety landscape.
An investor just launched the world’s first organization focused exclusively on the health of elite women athletes. Michele Kang, who also just donated $4 million to USA women’s rugby, launched Kynsica Sports International Ltd, with a goal of raising $100 million — including $50 million of her own.
The UK government just unveiled plans to put solar panels on millions of homes to help lower energy bills and tackle the climate crisis. In a “rooftop revolution,” it’s working with builders to make it easier to buy new homes with panels installed, or instal them on existing ones.
For the first time ever, an Olympic gymnastics podium was made up of all Black women. In the women’s floor exercise event, Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade took gold, and the USA’s Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles took silver and bronze respectively.
Scientists in Japan developed a new technique that can destroy 100% of “forever chemicals” overnight. In eight hours and using common equipment, their method fully disassembles two of the most common toxic manufacturing substances and even allows one to be recycled.
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.
AI that scans medical records has helped doctors in England improve cancer detection rates by 8%. Especially for cancers where early detection can be life-saving, the rate of cancer detection rose from 58.7% to 66.0% at practices using the “C the Signs” AI tool.
Bloomberg Philanthropies just announced a $600 million investment in four historically Black medical schools. Michael Bloomberg lamented the closure of all but these four schools, despite Black doctors having a well-documented impact on improved health outcomes for Black patients.
A group of volunteers just cleaned up 60 kilograms of waste from a UK beach. The cleanup was in celebration of Plastic Free July, and recyclable waste collected was taken to be made into new products, while other waste was converted into electricity.
The CDC just issued the first pain management guidance for IUD insertion. The form of contraception was introduced around 60 years ago, and they’ve earned a reputation for being incredibly painful to place, with some people reporting vomiting, fainting, and more.
A major electronics brand just unveiled a new solid-state battery with a 600-mile range that charges in 9 minutes. In an announcement that could revolutionize the electrification of motor vehicles, Samsung says its new battery also has a 20-year lifespan.
After riots caused severe fire damage, people donated more than £120,000 to a Liverpool library and community hub. The fundraising page had an initial target of £500 to help with repairs, but more than 6,000 donations helped them far exceed that goal.
New, cutting-edge technology is helping researchers better understand and prepare for hurricanes. The 23-foot Saildrone devices are packed with cameras and sensors to help scientists better understand hurricanes.
The U.S. Energy Department just announced $2.2 billion in funding to strengthen the grid and add clean energy. The funding will support eight projects across 18 states to strengthen the electrical grid against increasing extreme weather, advance the transition to cleaner electricity, and meet growing demand.
