Nations

Silhouette of wind turbines at dusk

Wind overtakes fossil fuels as U.K.’s primary source of electricity

| By | -, Good News Links

In a historic win for the LGBTQ+ community, Aetna reached a settlement today with a group of plaintiffs alleging medical discrimination in their fertility coverage. The insurance company is paying out $2 million to the members of the class action lawsuit, as well as restructuring how they cover fertility for queer couples moving forward. This marks the a major step toward ending fertility-based medical discrimination for LGBTQ+ couples in the U.S.

Wind overtakes fossil fuels as U.K.’s primary source of electricity Read more

Technicians carrying photovoltaic solar module while installing solar panel system on roof of house

U.S. President Joe Biden announces $7 billion in federal solar power grants

| By | -, Good News Links

President Biden marked Earth Day by announcing $7 billion in federal grants for residential solar projects serving 900,000-plus households in low- and middle-income communities. The projects are expected to eventually reduce emissions by the equivalent of 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and save households $350 million annually, according to senior administration officials.

U.S. President Joe Biden announces $7 billion in federal solar power grants Read more

space debris in Earth orbit, dangerous junk orbiting around the blue planet

India aims to achieve debris-free space missions by 2030

| By | -, Good News Links

Low Earth orbit is littered with about 30,000 objects larger than a softball and millions smaller than a centimeter. A bombshell study found unexpectedly high amounts of vaporized metals polluting Earth’s stratosphere, which is home to the fragile ozone layer, whose chemical makeup can be altered by satellite material. Another study posted to the preprint server arXiv suggested that debris from burning satellites could be altering our planet’s magnetic field.

India aims to achieve debris-free space missions by 2030 Read more

A Polar bear surrounded by arctic wilderness

Biden limits oil drilling across 13 million acres of Alaskan Arctic

| By | -, Good News Links

Future oil and gas drilling will be limited across more than 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, the nation’s largest expanse of public land, under a sweeping Biden administration plan aimed at protecting sensitive ecosystems and wildlife. In a separate move, the Department of the Interior has announced that it will block a controversial road crucial to operating a planned copper and zinc mine in northern Alaska, saying it would threaten Indigenous communities and fragment wildlife habitat.

Biden limits oil drilling across 13 million acres of Alaskan Arctic Read more

Rainforest scene

Brazil’s President Lula creates two new Indigenous territories, bringing total to 10

| By | -, Good News Links

The Cacique Fontoura reserve will be in Mato Grosso state and the Aldeia Velha territory will be in Bahia state. They will cover a combined total area of almost 132 square miles. Speaking at a ceremony in Brasilia, Lula said Indigenous peoples should be patient as he seeks to fulfill his pledge of creating 14 new territories. Last year, he demarcated six territories in April and two more in September.

Brazil’s President Lula creates two new Indigenous territories, bringing total to 10 Read more

School of fish

Greece becomes first E.U. country to ban bottom fishing in marine protected areas

| By | -, Good News Links

Greece will start with national marine parks, where bottom fishing will be banned “by 2026.” Then, it will be prohibited “in all marine protected areas by 2030.” This method of fishing, decried by environmental associations, involves dragging heavy nets along the seabed, damaging ecosystems and releasing carbon trapped in the seabed.

Greece becomes first E.U. country to ban bottom fishing in marine protected areas Read more

Whale jumping

E.U. pledges €3.5 billion to protect world’s oceans

| By | -, Good News Links

At the Our Ocean Conference in Greece, the European Union demonstrated its strong engagement for international ocean governance by announcing 40 commitments for action for 2024. These actions will be funded by €3.5 billion from various E.U. funds, including €1.9 billion for sustainable fisheries in Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Poland, and Portugal.

E.U. pledges €3.5 billion to protect world’s oceans Read more

Person filling syringe with vaccine

Nigeria becomes world’s first country to introduce ‘revolutionary’ meningitis vaccine

| By | -, Good News Links

Nigeria has become the first country to roll out a “revolutionary” five-in-one vaccine against meningitis, the World Health Organization has announced. The Men5CV vaccine offers a powerful shield against the five major strains of the meningococcal bacteria that cause the disease. Known by the brand name MenFive, it provides broader protection than the vaccine currently used in much of Africa.

Nigeria becomes world’s first country to introduce ‘revolutionary’ meningitis vaccine Read more

Indian flag

India approves massive $9 billion rooftop solar plan

| By | -, Good News Links

A massive subsidy program to help Indian households install rooftop solar panels in their homes and apartments aims to provide 30 gigawatt hours of solar power to the nation’s inventory. The scheme, called PM-Surya Ghar, will provide free electricity to 10 million homes according to estimates, and the designing of a national portal will streamline the process of installation and payment.

India approves massive $9 billion rooftop solar plan Read more

Water flowing from faucet

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces first-ever national regulations for “forever chemicals” in drinking water

| By | -, Good News Links

Commonly called “forever chemicals,” PFAS are synthetic chemicals found nearly everywhere — in air, water, and soil — and can take thousands of years to break down in the environment.

The EPA has stated there is no safe level of exposure to PFAS without risk of health impacts, but now it will require that public water utilities test for six different types of PFAS chemicals to reduce exposure in drinking water. The new standards will reduce PFAS exposure for 100 million people, according to the EPA, and prevent thousands of deaths and illnesses.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces first-ever national regulations for “forever chemicals” in drinking water Read more

Start typing and press enter to search