Every single day the Good Good Good crew collects the perfect excellent news on the planet and shares it with our neighborhood. Listed here are the highlights for this week!
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The Greatest Optimistic Information We’re Celebrating This Week —
A boxer simply made historical past because the first-ever athlete to win a medal for the Refugee Olympic Crew
On Sunday, boxer Cindy Ngamba beat France’s Davina Michel to turn out to be the first-ever medal-winning athlete for the Refugee Olympic Crew, incomes bronze.
Ngamba, who was additionally the crew’s flagbearer through the opening ceremony, took up boxing at 15 years previous and got here out as homosexual when she was 18. She competes on the Refugee Olympic Crew as a result of in her house nation of Cameroon, homosexuality is banned and if she have been to return, she might be despatched to jail.
The Refugee Olympic Crew has given refugee athletes a spot to compete on the Video games since 2016 — it was created for rivals identical to Ngamba, who’ve been compelled to flee their nation.
Why is that this excellent news? Refugees and displaced folks all around the world have hopes and desires, and should pursue them in security and freedom — irrespective of the place they reside. Ngamba’s historic achievement shines a light-weight on that actuality — and serves as an vital reminder for us all to proceed the struggle for human rights around the globe.
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Extreme meals insecurity dropped by 85% final 12 months in Brazil — from 8% of the inhabitants to 1.2%
A newly revealed report from the United Nations confirmed that extreme meals insecurity dropped considerably in Brazil final 12 months.
In whole, 2.5 million folks went hungry within the nation in 2023, down from 17.2 million in 2022 — an 85% decline, and a outstanding 14.7 million fewer folks dealing with meals insecurity. As of final 12 months, 1.2% of the inhabitants faces meals insecurity, down from 8% in 2022.
Extreme meals insecurity results in acute starvation, which, when skilled ceaselessly can result in extreme bodily and psychological well being points — particularly amongst younger kids, who see impacts in improvement and cognitive perform.
Whereas there are 14.7 million causes to have a good time in Brazil, the identical progress hasn’t been seen globally, with an estimated 733 million folks experiencing starvation in 2023 — nonetheless a decline over the 735 million reported in 2022, however room for far more progress.
The primary zero-emission hydrogen-powered hybrid practice within the U.S. simply arrived in California
The zero-emission, hydrogen-powered hybrid FLIRT H2 practice broke a Guinness World Document earlier this 12 months for the longest distance traveled by a practice of its form on a single cost — 1,741 kilometers.
And now, it’s made its arrival in San Bernardino, California. Whereas it will likely be used on a 9-mile stretch as a pilot case, the state plans to make use of all of them throughout its Metrolink system if it goes effectively. And with solely water vapor for emissions, passengers will get pleasure from a cleaner, planet- and people-friendly commute beginning later this 12 months.
Whereas comparable environmentally-friendly trains run on narrower tracks, this one is designed to work on current railroad tracks, making it simpler to combine into current infrastructure.
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Extra good car-free information:
A bunch of Indigenous ladies in Ecuador are preserving their tradition and defending the Amazon from unlawful mining
A bunch of Indigenous ladies in Ecuador first determined to come back collectively to extend their households’ earnings by making and promoting handicrafts, however when their territory was more and more threatened by mining, they stepped as much as make a distinction.
Now, the “Yuturi Warmi” are the primary Indigenous guard led by Kichwa ladies in all of Ecuador. Over 40 members are organized towards all types of interference of their territory, together with the contamination of their rivers and the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.
Nevertheless it’s their method that’s distinctive and vital: it consists of not solely bodily guarding their territory from unlawful mining, but additionally defending their tradition, ancestrality, language, schooling, and well being.
Simply 10 months after a beloved, iconic tree was minimize down resulting from vandalism, it’s began regenerating
Final fall, rangers and guests on the Hadrian’s Wall Path in northern England have been shocked and devastated to see the trail’s iconic, 200-year-old Sycamore Hole tree had been minimize down. Police deemed it an act of vandalism, and other people mourned the lack of the landmark.
For the reason that tree was so effectively cared for and wholesome, consultants hoped it might regenerate. And now, simply ten months later, these hopes have been realized: small chutes of latest development have begun bursting from the tree’s trunk.
The tree’s caretakers at the moment are defending the tree’s stump and root zone in order that the brand new development is given the perfect likelihood to outlive and proceed the tree’s lengthy, storied historical past.
Why is that this excellent news? Whereas it’s devastating that the tree was minimize down within the first place, it presents a bigger message about our accountability to protect and defend nature — whether or not it’s one tree or a complete forest. When given the area and alternative, nature will thrive — excellent news for the planet and for folks.
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A climber with stage 4 colon most cancers summited Yosemite’s Half Dome to boost consciousness for most cancers screenings
When nature photographer Kirk Keeler was identified with stage 4 colon most cancers two and a half years in the past, he made a promise to himself: To climb Yosemite’s notoriously difficult Half Dome whereas he nonetheless may.
Keeler didn’t simply climb the cable route most well-known to hikers however as an alternative opted for a roped climb up Snake Dike on the sting of the rock formation.
The climb was a giant endeavor, however his final objective was even greater and higher: To boost consciousness for most cancers screenings. He hopes to stop others from enduring what he’s needed to.
A filmmaker joined Keeler on his journey to the summit and is popping it into a brief movie — sharing Keeler’s objective to boost consciousness for most cancers screenings.
Sea lions are serving to researchers gather video knowledge about habitats and ecosystems within the waters of southern Australia
In a current examine, researchers detailed their discovery of six benthic — or underwater — habitats masking 5,000 sq. kilometers. They got here by these habitats with a little bit of assist from sea lions.
Venturing into waters beforehand unmapped, eight grownup feminine sea lions have been outfitted with tiny, light-weight cameras hooked up to neoprene patches glued to their backs. It’s a a lot less expensive various than utilizing underwater cameras — and far more efficient.
Exploring their very own pure habitats, the information the ocean lions collected helped the researchers map essential habitats for the endangered species — in addition to assist them higher perceive habitat distribution and biodiversity, and contribute to conservation efforts.
→ See the ocean lions at work
Extra animals doing good:
‘World-changing’ photo voltaic tech can harvest power from any mild supply and will get rid of cords and batteries
Based mostly in Sweden, an organization has created sturdy, versatile miniature photo voltaic cells that would quickly discover their approach onto on a regular basis gadgets, from keyboards and headphones to audio system and bike helmets — a “world-changing” improvement that would imply the top of batteries and even energy cords.
The shortage of sunshine through the winter months in Sweden impressed Exeger’s co-founders to search for different sources of energy for photovoltaic cells — from direct daylight to candlelight, and even moonlight.
They’re not delicate to partial shading (not like conventional photovoltaic panels), are waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, and their patented skin-like materials can morph into virtually any materials, opening it up to make use of on an enormous vary of merchandise.
Why is that this excellent news? Electronics big Samsung estimates that TV remotes alone are accountable for 3.1 billion disposable batteries being thrown away yearly. It estimates that switching to photovoltaic power may cut back its greenhouse gasoline emissions by about 6,000 tons yearly.
Good as Gold
The 2024 Olympics wrap up in Paris this weekend, and there have been so many inspiring, history-making moments on the Video games. The Refugee Olympic Crew earned its first-ever medal, gymnastics had its first podium made up of all Black ladies, and extra.
Listed here are some extra good, can’t-miss moments from Paris:
The 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony is on Sunday, August 11 at 2:00 PM ET. However don’t cancel your Peacock subscription simply but: the celebration is simply getting began!
An 18-year-old in Oklahoma’s annual back-to-school fundraiser has distributed over 33,000 e-book baggage and $1.3 million in class provides
Reed Marcum is a 4-H teen from Oklahoma, and he simply hosted the 2024 Michael Miller Guide Bag Giveaway, a large annual charity occasion for the back-to-school season.
At this 12 months’s occasion alone, 6,000 e-book baggage have been distributed to college students and households in the neighborhood. In its 9 years, the occasion has given away over 33,000 baggage whole, together with $1.3 million in class provides.
And it’s a supply of pleasure and pleasure for the neighborhood for the back-to-school season, which extends even to close by states.
Marcum himself was additionally a recipient of the 2024 4-H Youth In Motion Awards for his neighborhood initiatives which have collectively raised greater than $3.5 million in funds and donated gadgets.
Marcum’s 4-H mentor acknowledged that his “dedication to his neighborhood is inspiring” and it’s had a large impression.
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Extra excellent news of the week —
The UK authorities simply introduced it’s making a report funding in renewable power this 12 months. The vast majority of the funding can be accessible to develop offshore wind energy, which the Labour authorities says it needs to quadruple by 2030.
Baltimore noticed a 36% decline in homicides and a 30% decline in non-fatal shootings within the first half of 2024. These statistics come after a 20% discount in homicides the earlier 12 months, indicating a sustained constructive shift in Baltimore’s security panorama.
An investor simply launched the world’s first group targeted solely on the well being of elite ladies athletes. Michele Kang, who additionally simply donated $4 million to USA ladies’s rugby, launched Kynsica Sports activities Worldwide Ltd, with a objective of elevating $100 million — together with $50 million of her personal.
The UK authorities simply unveiled plans to place photo voltaic panels on tens of millions of houses to assist decrease power payments and sort out the local weather disaster. In a “rooftop revolution,” it’s working with builders to make it simpler to purchase new houses with panels put in, or instal them on current ones.
For the primary time ever, an Olympic gymnastics podium was made up of all Black ladies. Within the ladies’s flooring train occasion, 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 brand new approach that may destroy 100% of “perpetually chemical compounds” in a single day. In eight hours and utilizing widespread tools, their methodology absolutely disassembles two of the commonest poisonous manufacturing substances and even permits one to be recycled.
Scientists developed 3D-printed “waffle stacks” that may take away 75% of “perpetually chemical compounds” from water. The constructions — referred to as “monoliths” — have been surprisingly discovered to be more practical after a number of makes use of, making them a reusable and reasonably priced water therapy possibility.
AI that scans medical information has helped medical doctors in England enhance most cancers detection charges by 8%. Particularly for cancers the place early detection may be life-saving, the speed of most cancers detection rose from 58.7% to 66.0% at practices utilizing the “C the Indicators” AI device.
Bloomberg Philanthropies simply introduced a $600 million funding in 4 traditionally Black medical faculties. Michael Bloomberg lamented the closure of all however these 4 faculties, regardless of Black medical doctors having a well-documented impression on improved well being outcomes for Black sufferers.
A bunch of volunteers simply cleaned up 60 kilograms of waste from a UK seaside. The cleanup was in celebration of Plastic Free July, and recyclable waste collected was taken to be made into new merchandise, whereas different waste was transformed into electrical energy.
The CDC simply issued the primary ache administration steering for IUD insertion. The type of contraception was launched round 60 years in the past, they usually’ve earned a repute for being extremely painful to position, with some folks reporting vomiting, fainting, and extra.
A significant electronics model simply unveiled a brand new solid-state battery with a 600-mile vary that costs in 9 minutes. In an announcement that would revolutionize the electrification of motor automobiles, Samsung says its new battery additionally has a 20-year lifespan.
After riots prompted extreme hearth injury, folks donated greater than £120,000 to a Liverpool library and neighborhood hub. The fundraising web page had an preliminary goal of £500 to assist with repairs, however greater than 6,000 donations helped them far exceed that objective.
New, cutting-edge know-how helps researchers higher perceive and put together for hurricanes. The 23-foot Saildrone units are filled with cameras and sensors to assist scientists higher perceive hurricanes.
The U.S. Vitality Division simply introduced $2.2 billion in funding to strengthen the grid and add clear power. The funding will help eight initiatives throughout 18 states to strengthen {the electrical} grid towards growing excessive climate, advance the transition to cleaner electrical energy, and meet rising demand.
