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 —
In a historic milestone for the UK, renewable energy generation will overtake fossil fuels for the first time
Low-carbon renewable energy sources are on track to generate 37% of electricity in the U.K. in 2024 — the first time in history that wind, solar, and hydropower together will overtake fossil fuels, which are set to generate 35%.
This milestone is significant, given that in 2021 fossil fuels generated 45% of electricity, and renewables only 27% — a 10% shift in just a few years thanks to the rapid rise of wind and solar in the UK.
Wind power is also set to make history on its own as it closes in on overtaking gas power as the largest source of electricity in 2024 — wind is forecast at 29% and gas at 30%. But “a mild, windy December” could push it over.
Why is this good news? The UK keeps making remarkable progress toward reaching its goal of an entirely “clean” energy grid by 2030 — earlier this year it closed its final coal power plant, and with this progress, sets its sights on doing the same for gas. These milestones are exactly what climate experts say we need to achieve to have the best possible climate outcomes.
The largest recorded reduction in U.S. history, overdose deaths fell 17% in the past year
From July 2023 to July 2024, the number of overdose deaths in the U.S. fell 16.9%. That marks the largest reduction in recorded overdose deaths in U.S. history.
Officials point to extensive efforts, investments, and policies put in place that have contributed to this significant decline — including making the drug overdose treatment naloxone more widely available. The FDA recently made it available over the counter.
Additionally, more medical providers are now able to prescribe medications for opioid use disorder, and the U.S. has invested more in stopping the flow of fentanyl by cutting production and trafficking off, and stopping the production of precursor chemicals.
While there is still more to do to address overdose deaths, these targeted investments appear to have made an incredible, historic difference so far.
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Volunteers in Finland are building giant snow piles to help endangered Saimaa ringed seals raise their young
Once widespread across Finland, the Saimaa ringed seal’s numbers and habitat are dwindling, with fewer than 495 remaining.
The seals make “snow caves” inside snow drifts to raise their young and protect them from the elements and predators. But as climate change brings warmer winters, this shelter is disappearing.
To help them survive, a team of 300 volunteers spends days shoveling snow into massive snow banks around the edge of a frozen lake. Last winter, they made 200 piles, and thanks to their efforts, the country’s seal population is growing.
Why is this good news? While we generally follow the rule that we should protect natural spaces and habitats, not disturb them — the reality is that human activity has already disturbed them. As we continue to work quickly to reverse these climate impacts, we can do our part to help endangered species survive, too.
Finland just became the first country in the world to ban cargo ships from dumping wastewater in its coastal waters
In a “major environmental victory” the Finnish Parliament just passed legistation to ban cargo ships from dumping wastewater into its coastal waters. Finland is now the first country in the world to implement this kind of ban, which will go into effect in July.
While passenger ships have been prohibited from discharging wastewater, it’s the first time cargo ships will be banned from the practice, too.
And while the ships can still technically dump their wastewater in international waters, this is a major victory for protecting Finland’s coastlines and coastal ecosystems.
Why is this good news? Currently, only 20% of ships that operate in the Baltic Sea offload their sewage at ports. The wastewater discharged at sea contains large amounts of nutrient-rich fecal bacteria and solid waste, which causes toxic algea blooms in the summer.
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Endangered sea otters have a highly underrated job: eating 120,000 invasive underwater creatures a year
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Medical students at the University of Texas are helping their unhoused neighbors access essential medical care
Once a week, a group of medical students from the University of Texas gather at the C.D. Doyle Clinic to treat patients who are experiencing homelessness or uninsured.
The clinic is operated entirely by students to provide care “to the underserved population, regardless of their background or insurance status.”
For people experiencing homelessness or working to get into stable housing, a lack of insurance and high out-of-pocket costs are major barriers to accessing essential medical care. The clinic is located at a community center that provides transitional housing.
The U.S. Department of Transportation just announced “unprecedented” new protections for disabled passengers
Requiring airlines to meet more rigorous standards for “safe and dignified” assistance for its passengers with disabilities, especially those using wheelchairs.
Among other things, the new rule mandates annual training for employees and contractors who physically assist passengers and handle wheelchairs. It also puts more clear requirements around promptness when helping disabled passengers enplane, deplane, and make connections. Airlines must also provide loaner wheelchairs and scooters when they’re damaged.
While many airlines already offer assistance for disabled passengers, many travelers have reported delays, poor treatment, and mishandled wheelchairs to the DOT.
Why is this good news? Every passenger and customer of an airline deserves to have a safe travel experience and have their basic needs met, regardless of ability. Previous regulations weren’t strong enough to deliver that experience for disabled passengers, and these more rigorous standards will help provide more equitable care and attention.
For the second year in a row, Boston is on track to see its fewest homicides and shootings in a single year
In 2023, Boston broke its record for the fewest homicides and shootings in the city’s history. This year, it’s on track to break the record again.
There were 37 homicides reported in 2023, the lowest since the city began counting. As of December 10 of this year, Boston has seen 22 homicides — breaking that record, and nearly halving it from the 40 reported just two years ago.
The city started the year out strong, with an 82% reduction in the first quarter compared to the prior year. It was the largest drop in homicides among all large U.S. cities — the second best was Philadelphia with 37%.
Experts point to a “renewed effort to include the community in the process of public safety” as a big reason for the decline. This includes a network of neighborhood associations and community-based organizations focusing on young people at risk for violence.
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China just completed its 3,046-kilometer “Great Green Wall” along its biggest desert
China just completed one part of its massive initiative to use reforestation to hold back the expansion of the Gobi Desert and other arid areas: a 3,046-kilometer “Great Green Wall.”
Red willows, sacsaoul, and other tree species are expected to act like a “security wall” to stop the flow of desert winds and sandstorms, which have a damaging impact on agriculture. Desertification like this is a massive global issue, too.
Launched in 1978, the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program is slated to be finished by 2050, could involve as many as 100 billion trees, and will be the world’s largest ecological engineering project.
What’s the nuance? Some experts worry the project isn’t sustainable and won’t have the desired outcome — arguing that planting trees where they are not native could have larger negative implications for the ecosystem. Still, desertification is a massive issue, and the project shows China’s efforts to address it — and the benefits and importance of tree cover is well-documented.
Author James Patterson gave hundreds of independent bookstore employees a holiday bonus
Since 2015, bestselling novelist James Patterson has been awarding holiday bonuses to independent bookstore employees — and this year, he continued that tradition.
Chosen from thousands of applicants, 600 booksellers received $500 holiday bonuses this year — working at bookstores across the country, like Thank You Books in Birmingham, City Lights Books in San Francisco, and The Nook in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
The winners were nominated for the bonus by coworkers and customers.
In addition to these annual bonuses, Patterson has also given millions of dollars to schools, libraries, and literacy programs.
More good news of the week —
Long-targeted by activists, the U.S. EPA banned two cancer-causing chemicals found in homes and workplaces. The ban involves trichloroethylene, common in manufacturing, and all consumer uses and many commercial uses of perchloroethylene, used in dry cleaning, manufacturing, automobile repair, and more.
Thanks to widespread conservation efforts, an Australian endangered species has returned to a national park. A huge win for numbats, conservationists spotted baby numbats running wild in Dryandra Woodlands National Park for the first time in years and estimated that the population had grown from 5 to 25.
Zimbabwe’s senate approved legislation to abolish the death penalty, and its president is expected to sign it into law. Zimbabwe hasn’t utilized the death penalty in nearly 20 years, largely due to a lack of people willing to serve as executioners, and there are currently more than 60 people on death row.
Promoted by NFL player Damar Hamlin, the U.S. Senate passed the HEARTS Act to fund AEDs and CPR training in schools. Hamlin’s life was saved by trained medical staff and an AED device after he went into cardiac arrest on-field, and President Biden is expected to sign the bill into law.
In an effort to be “even more inclusive,” 85% of British pubs now offer no- and low-alcohol beer. A record 140 million pints of no or low-alcohol beer are expected to be sold this year, up 12% from 2023, reflecting a steady rise in the popularity of non-alcoholic drinks.
Long-time activist Sheryl Lee Ralph was just honored as the LGBTQ+ Advocate of the Year. The Broadway-turned-TV star was honored for over 30 years of efforts to fight the AIDS epidemic and uplift marginalized communities through her nonprofit, the DIVA Foundation.
Alongside the launch of her new virtual book club, Dylan Mulvaney donated thousands of banned books. In partnership with RuPaul’s book marketplace, the book club will feature a selection of books including “fierce female leads, steamy rom-coms, empowering self-help, and amazing LGBTQIA+ reads.”
Thanks to newly accessible land, local scientists in Colombia are reviving the country’s biodiversity. Colombia is known as one of 33 global plant biodiversity ‘dark spots’ – regions of the world that are teeming with plants, thousands of which are still unknown to us.
After being struck by a boat, a paralyzed sea turtle can now swim again thanks to an innovative 3D-printed harness. A condition that can cause paralysis and make it hard to feed and avoid predators, cases of “bubble butt syndrome” are increasing, as more already-endangered sea turtles face injuries from human causes.
Thanks to a “generous” gift, a New Hampshire ski area is offering free lift tickets and trail access all season. The donation from the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation will help improve access to the ski area, so more winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy the slopes.
New Mexico voted unanimously to place the strongest water quality protections on 250 miles of rivers and streams. These areas are now designated as Outstanding National Resource Waters, outlawing degradation including quality harms such as pollution, heavy metals, increased temperature, or clouding.
A new AI image tool could help analyze wildlife images to learn about how climate change is impacting species around the world. The tool would help scientists analyze millions of images, revealing key insights into the impacts of climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and other pressures on animal and plant species.
A groundbreaking public health report details ways to prevent deaths from drowning. More than 300,000 people globally die from drowning every year and nearly all are preventable — the new report’s simple, low-tech techniques helped reduce drownings by 38% since 2000.
A massive solar and storage facility is now online in California, with the second phase set to be completed in 2025. Eland 1’s construction supported 325 jobs and pumped money into local businesses. Over its lifetime, the project will generate more than $18 million, providing revenue for schools, first responders, and other local needs.
A world-first AI camera is helping spot and catch people driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The state-of-the-art Heads-Up machine can detect road use and behavior consistent with drivers who may be impaired by alcohol or drugs, catching them before an accident can occur.
