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icymi this week...
🎤 U.S. Senator Corey Booker broke the record for the longest Senate speech in history, speaking on the floor for more than 25 hours straight, getting in “some good trouble” to protest the actions of the Trump administration. (Gifted link)
Japan created a plastic that both dissolves in the ocean within hours and enhances soil health
Addressing the global issues of both plastic pollution and soil degradation in a single innovation, researchers in Japan have developed an advanced biodegradable plastic that dissolves in seawater and breaks down in soil, while improving its health.
Even more impressively, the unconventional plastic dissolves in seawater within a few hours and breaks down in soil within 10 days.
It’s also made from food-safe ingredients, is completely non-toxic, and does not release harmful byproducts. Furthermore, it does not release any carbon dioxide emissions while it decomposes, and can be easily recycled.
Why is this good news?Plastic waste and marine pollution have been massive, urgent environmental issues for decades, harming marine ecosystems and marine life, and contributing to the climate crisis. Plus: Other “biodegradable” plastic alternatives mostly break down into smaller pieces or require access to industrial composting, which many communities don’t have.
Colombia created a first-of-its-kind territory specifically designed to protect a group of Indigenous people living in isolation
For the first time in the country’s history, Colombia has created a territory specifically designed to protect a group of Indigenous people living away from regular contact with the rest of the world.
Spanning 2.7 million acres, the territory is home to the uncontacted Indigenous Yuri-Passé people and reaffirms the country’s “commitment to their autonomy and survival.”
The result of years of advocacy by human rights and conservation groups to both recognize their rights and protect their lands, the territory’s special designation prohibits economic development and forced human contact.
Why is this good news?The Yuri-Passé people have faced increasing pressure from illegal mining and organized crime groups, which has led neighboring Indigenous communities to reach out to the government on their behalf. This new territory will proactively ensure their land and rights are protected.
Organized by elected officials and the Food Bank of Delaware, an emergency donation drive was held at various food bank locations, with one drop-off event collecting more than 5,000 pounds of food donations.
The USDA cuts eliminated around 750,000 pounds of food for the food bank, which would have amounted to 900,000 total meals for people in need.
Why is this good news?Food Bank of Delaware feeds thousands of Delawareans annually — and their services were especially critical right now, with increasing demand due to higher grocery prices and stagnant wages.
While seemingly small, seeing the community come together to take good action is inspiring and will make an incredible impact, ensuring people who need food can access it.
Thanks to AI sound analysis, a rare, endangered bird was located for the first time in 30 years
A small, quail-like bird species called the plains-wanderer hasn’t been seen in West Melbourne, Australia for decades — since 1989 — a symptom of the species’ larger decline across the country due to long-term drought and its ever-shrinking natural habitat.
In an effort to catalog data on local bird calls, a zoo-based conservation organization installed audio recorders throughout the wilds of Australia.
Across tens of thousands of hours of recordings, an AI-powered tool pinpointed the plains-wanderer by identifying its soft, low “ooming” call at two sites in western Melbourne.
Why is this good news? While the bird technically still hasn’t been “seen,” one expert said this discovery was “like finding gold.” That’s because, among other things, the plains-wanderer is a “flagship” species, indicating healthy grasslands throughout southeastern Australia and playing a crucial role in insect control and seed dispersal.
England approved — and doubled — new funding for 300 school-based childcare projects
Opening up as many as 6,000 new spaces for children in the country, England’s Department for Education more than doubled its £37 million funding to help roll out 300 new school-based childcare programs.
Working parents of children older than nine months old can immediately access 15 hours of funded childcare a week — increasing to 30 hours for eligible families starting in September.
The Conservative government originally began expanding funded childcare a year ago for working parents of two-year-olds — this new round of funding builds on those efforts.
Why is this good news? In addition to lowering the cost burden for families, adding spots to improve access, and investing in critical early childhood education, the program uniquely focuses on expanding access in existing primary schools, which the government says will help with continuity for children and families, and save working parents from making multiple trips in the morning and afternoon.
The U.S. FDA approved the first new antibiotic treatment for UTIs in 30 years.Urinary tract infections are among the most common medical issues women experience, especially among older, who have lower estrogen levels that can lead to decreased levels of beneficial bacteria that suppress infection-causing bacteria.
We’re thrilled to announce: The Environment Edition
The perfect companion for your Earth Day celebrations, The Environment Edition will inspire you to take defiant, optimistic action to protect our planet.
As much as fear, rage, and grief can bury us — the joy, love, and hope we have for this world will help us rise.
I was so thrilled to see England expanding its access to funded child care — and having it located right at existing primary schools! So smart. As someone currently paying for child care, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t also so very jealous.
Which good news story did you love reading most this week?
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