In the headlines...

🏳️‍🌈 Despite the government’s national ban, the Budapest Pride parade was bigger than ever, with more than 100,000 people marching through the Hungarian capital, far more than had taken part in past events.

🗳 Following last week’s mayoral primary in New York City, more than 2,200 people have reached out to Run For Something to express interest in running for office.

Environment

After USAID cuts hit Jane Goodall’s reforestation initiative, an internet search engine stepped in to fill the gap

In 2019, the Jane Goodall Institute received funding support from USAID to create its Landscape Conservation in Western Tanzania initiative, a five-year, $29.5 million program that would help mitigate threats to chimpanzees and their ecosystems and uplift surrounding communities.

The program officially launched in 2023, but under the Trump administration’s budget cuts, lost its funding, threatening the future of the entire initiative, but one particularly crucial reforestation effort in Tanzania’s Gombe Masito Ugalla biosphere reserve.

So, Ecosia — the search engine that donates 100% of its profits to climate action and has planted over 200 million trees across the globe — stepped in, providing $100,000 in support over the next three years to help save the Gombe reforestation project.

Why is this good news? Preserving critical ecosystems around the world impacts all of us — whether we’re nearby or far away. While short of the full funding amont, Ecosia’s support will plant 360,000 seedlings, protect 20 existing nurseries, and preserve local jobs overseeing the care of these trees.

→ Read more​

More Good News

​The Supreme Court upheld a program that provides subsidized internet and phone service to rural communities across the United States. The program operates through the Federal Communications Commission, which Congress established 90 years ago to regulate and ensure reliable and affordable telecommunications services nationwide.

​A movement of Black dads is helping support and shape the conversation around autism diagnoses. Their hope is not only to be considered more than sidekicks to mothers of the children, but also to help other Black dads accept autism diagnoses and not prolong getting kids the help that they need.

​After decades of pollution, a California community secured a $550 million settlement from Chevron. The Chevron refinery in Richmond, California, produces over 200,000 barrels of oil a day and in the process, it contributes to air pollution in nearby areas, where many residents have asthma.

​A UN expert called for the criminalization of climate disinformation and a ban on fossil fuel lobbying. The special rapporteur said that the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and other wealthy fossil fuel nations are legally obliged under international law to fully phase out oil, gas, and coal by 2030 — and compensate communities for harms caused.

be the good

Take action to celebrate Disability Pride Month!

July is Disability Pride Month! Disability is a spectrum encompassing a vast uniqueness of illnesses. However, it is important to recognize that, contrary to the societal norm, disability should not be seen as existing “without.”

Disability Pride Month is a chance for the disability community to show the world all of its beauty. It is also a time for all disabled people to unapologetically celebrate their bodies exactly as they are.

Whether you are disabled or an ally, Disability Pride Month is full of so much to celebrate — together with activist and champion for the disability community, Daphne Frias, we curated some ways to join in celebrating throughout July:

1. Learn about ableism​
2. Learn about Disability First language
3. ​Read books by disabled authors
4. ​Follow disability activists on social media
5. Donate to an organization that centers disabled people and the causes that impact them. (Some recommendations!)

→ More ways to celebrate Disability Pride Month​

Plastic Free July

Throughout the month of July, people participate in the Plastic Free July challenge to reduce plastic waste and create a more sustainable future. To kick off the month, here’s some good news about curbing plastic pollution:

​A university student in Utah created “Sea Brooms” to prevent waste and fight plastic pollution. Initially just a class project, “Sea Broom” has now turned into a community project, with 21-year-old Luz Garcia selling the brooms at farmers’ markets and doing workshops to show the importance of recycling.

​Norway offered residents a $1,000 lottery for recycling, and now 97% of all plastic bottles are returned. People also have the option to choose between a guaranteed refund or the chance to win anywhere from 5 to 100,000 euros, and now, similar programs are being tested in Canada.

​A California-based startup developed a plant that continuously upcycles hard-to-recycle plastic waste. The plant is capable of cranking out up to 70 metric tons of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) per year that can be used in everything from sneakers to car seats.

​Researchers in Japan developed a plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours. A potential solution for ocean pollution and harming wildlife, researchers say their new material breaks down much more quickly than other “biodegradable” plastics and leaves no residual trace.

More Good bits

🗑 Joining in Plastic Free July? We’ve got your go-to zero-waste resources.​

🪧 Waste pickers in Colombia know how to stage a protest.​

🐋 A community came together to save stranded whales.​

🐒 Laughter is the best medicine … for apes, too.​

🦷 Wisdom teeth? More like gold teeth.​

The new Goodnewspaper is here!

We’re thrilled to announce: The National Parks Edition

Whether you’ve recently tuned into national park news or you’ve been a lifelong visitor to these public lands, the (first-ever!) National Parks Edition of the Goodnewspaper will remind you that they belong to us and that we have a responsibility to protect them.

You’ll read about AI breakthroughs with wolf howls at Yellowstone, the resistance and resilience of rangers, Indigenous stewardship, collaborative efforts to save public lands, ways you can join those efforts, and more.

→ Order the new issue (free shipping!)

→ Subscribe & save (get this issue at a discount as an add-on!)

What’s good?

I love the start of a new month! What’s something you’re looking forward to in July?

Big or (seemingly) small, I’d love to hear — reply and tell me!

— Megan