Estonia’s parliament approves same-sex marriage
It’s the first central European country to do so. It is a rebuke to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has invoked the West’s “moral degeneracy” as one justification for his war against Ukraine.
Indonesia to cut tuna harvest in bid for more sustainable fishery
Indonesia will reduce its overall tuna catch by 10% over the course of three years, citing unsustainable current levels of fishing.
California Supreme Court repeals decades of rulings shielding police from lawsuits
State law does not provide “a sweeping immunity for any and all acts police officers may perform within the scope of their employment,” Justice Leondra Kruger said in the 7-0 ruling.
EU requires smartphones to have user-replaceable batteries by 2027
For “portable batteries” used in devices such as smartphones, tablets, and cameras, consumers must be able to “easily remove and replace them,” reducing costs for consumers and reducing e-waste.
Blue whales return to California at levels not seen since before the whaling industry
The current estimates suggest that as many as 2,000 blue whales travel up from Mexico to Southern California waters every year, a large chunk of a global population that may be topping 25,000.
More than half the population of India supports same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage in India is not currently legal and queer couples in the country are only afforded certain rights if they live together as a cohabitating couple.
First-of-its-kind study reveals how psilocybin helps treat alcohol dependence
“Participants reported that the psilocybin treatment helped them process emotions related to painful past events and helped promote states of self-compassion, self-awareness, and feelings of interconnectedness,” the authors wrote.
Spain to get majority of electricity from renewable energy in 2023 for first time ever
Spain will become the first of Europe’s five highest energy-consuming countries to pass this symbolic 50% marker.
Germany hands back centuries-old masks to Colombia
The wooden objects are highly revered by the country’s Indigenous Kogi mountain people, and their return is the latest in a string of cultural restitutions by Germany and other European nations.
Microparticle therapy reverses MS in 100% of mice, cures one third
The finding has the potential to lead to new treatments for not only multiple sclerosis but other autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes.
Denmark becomes world’s first country to legally recognize same-sex relationships (1989 C.E.)
The country’s landmark registered partnerships gave those in same-sex relationships most rights of married heterosexuals, but not the right to adopt or obtain joint custody of a child.
All European countries formally legalize same-sex marriages (2037 C.E. ???)
In 2001, The Netherlands became the world’s first country to legalize same-sex marriage. Decades later, following significant cultural change in former Soviet bloc, the entire continent had followed suit.
These milestones – past, present & future – have been added to:
Archive of Human Genius
Raising Wholeness
Raising Wholeness is a U.S.-based organization that offers classes and coaching to help educate parents on raising their children with practices that help them embody their own wholeness in order to role model and nurture the fullest potential in their children.
This has been added to our directory of purpose-driven organizations, leaders & resources helping to make good news:
Teal Pages
Survey results
Last week, I ran a poll to see whether you all find significant value in the longer form good news article I usually begin this newsletter with. The results were as follows…
37% said they prefer short stories/headlines only
33% said they love longer stories
30% said they had no preference
Because of that, I’m going to take a pause on the longer stories, at least for now. This is mostly just about giving myself a little less to do and making life more spacious. My plate has been filling up with clients and other opportunities lately. So I’ve been feeling more and more stretched to get it all done every week. Writing these articles isn’t necessarily something that gives me a huge spark, but I was curious to what degree it offered you all something significant. Now that it seems clear that these longer articles aren’t totally vital to most of you, this feels like a little gift to myself to make things more easeful and spacious.
Is there something in your life you can unburden yourself of? What might be one responsibility you can let go of to make your daily existence a little more easeful and spacious?
Peter Schulte
Purpose & Leadership Coach
Founder & Executive Director, Spark of Genius
Bellingham, WA USA / Lummi & Nooksack lands
he/they
More from Spark of Genius
Change 101
Insights, frameworks, and exercises helping aspiring change agents cultivate genius, purpose, social impact, leadership, and personal growth
Humanity Is Beautiful
Excerpts from a living draft of Peter’s upcoming book Humanity Is Beautiful: A New Story For A World On Fire.