Goodnewspaper: The 2020 Edition

@GOODGOODGOODCO

THE 2020 EDITION

ISSUE 18

Welcome to the Goodnewspaper.

You are now a part of a global community that celebrates the people, ideas, and movements that are changing the world for the better.

It’s when times are hardest that it’s most important that we shine a light on good news.

Not "feel-good" news. Hope — real hope — no matter how messy it may be.

There’s a lot of good in the world that needs to be celebrated. And we need to be a part of it.

H E L LO H E L LO!

3

WHO MAKES THE GOODNEWSPAPER? Editor-in-Chief Branden Harvey - @brandenharvey Managing Editor & Writer Kailey Thompson - @kaileythompson Art Director Carra Sykes - @carrasykes Director of Community & Creative Megan Burns - @meganburnsyou

So Long, Twenty Twenty. Hello, 2021.

2020 is coming to an end. And with it comes, perhaps, a

another, we're connected, and that connection gives us the

sigh of relief.

ability to positively or negatively affect one another. Let's

I know that nothing magic happens at the stroke of midnight on the 31st of December. I know that any one of us are

choose to positively affect one another — not just in the face of bad things happening, but proactively, every single day.

just as likely to stick to a health or hobby commitment in Au-

And I genuinely think we have a fighting chance of making

gust as we are on January 1st. And I know that calendars are

next year better. For one thing, we're each stronger than we

just a construct. But I can't help but wonder, if, because we're

were a year ago. We've gone through a series of national and

all so collectively over 2020 — if that might give us the power

global challenges together. It's tested us, broken us at times,

to make some collective changes that benefit us all.

but all along we've learned and grown.

We can choose to make 2021 different. And maybe the

2021 can be a step up. It won't be easy. It won't change

new year will give us a reason to go above and beyond to

overnight. But if we believe it will be better, and work to

make it happen.

make it better, we can make it so. Not for ourselves, but for

We can't control a virus existing — but we can work hard to make sure there's no chance we spread it. We can't indi-

our neighbors.

Thank you for celebrating good news with us. Thank you

vidually end mass incarceration, police brutality, or systemic

for becoming good news with us.

wage gaps — but we can each do our own individual work to

So long, 2020. And hello, 2021.

actively become anti-racist and then work to change systems in the same way. We can't directly control the 100 companies that have produced 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions

— BRANDEN HARVEY, @BRANDENHARVEY

Director of Partnerships Steve Wallace - @stevenboydwallace Communications Lead Margaux Madamba Creative Strategist Sammi Harvey - @sammi.harvey Event Producer Michelle Ellamae - @ellamaeproductions Centerfold Poster Artist Megan Burns - @meganburnsyou

•••••••••••••••••

GET GOOD NEWS IN YOUR NEWS FEED Join 300,000+ people who get good news from us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @goodgoodgoodco This issue of the Goodnewspaper was printed in November 2020 and released in December 2020.

Editor-in-Chief, Goodnewspaper

since 1988 — but we can each actively work to reduce waste, vote with our dollar, and encourage our friends to do the same.

We're going into 2020 recognizing that we all rely on one

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W E H AV E G O O D N E W S

4

The World Showed More “Positive Youth Activists Host Their Own Climate A Tiny Bug Could Solve Our Peace” In Several Ways In The Summit After The UN Conference Environmental Problems Was Delayed HIV Diagnoses Among Gay And Bisexual Last Decade An insect could be key to three of the You may have seen us mention the Institute After the UN climate conference was Men In The UK At Lowest In 20 Years biggest environmental challenges in the According to Public Health England, new

for Economics and Peace in the Goodnews-

United States: greenhouse gas emissions,

delayed because of COVID-19 concerns,

diagnoses of HIV among gay and bisexual

paper before: They measure indicators of

irresponsible land use, and food waste. Bug

youth activists decided to host their own

men is at the lowest rate in 20 years and

“positive peace,” which refers to societal

breeders are cultivating the bugs, called

virtual event.

fell 80 percent since 2011. And across all

conditions that create an optimal environ-

black soldier flies, in huge numbers.

genders and sexualities, new diagnoses

ment for people to flourish and is associated

The larvae eat food waste and convert it

old Josh Tregale told Global Citizen.

dropped 10 percent from 2018 to 2019. The

with higher GDP growth, better measures

into fertilizer, which can divert food waste

In late November, following months of

rates dropped even before the COVID-19

of wellbeing, higher levels of resilience, and

from landfills, which is a big deal because

organization, Tregale and others will launch

lockdowns began.

more peaceful societies. It’s different from

the USDA estimates that up to 40 percent

their two-week event, which mirrors what

This is the first time the rates have been

“negative peace,” which simply means an

of food is thrown away every year. Most of

the UN event will be but hosted by youth

so comparable between gay and bisexu-

absence of violence. IEP’s Positive Peace In-

this waste ends up in landfills and releases

from 140 countries. The event will focus on

al men — a high-risk group for HIV — and

dex measures the effectiveness of a country’s

methane gas as it decomposes (and the

climate education, carbon targets, climate

straight people.

capabilities to build and maintain peace, plus

EPA estimates that one-fifth of the world’s

justice, health, and green jobs.

The decline shows the success of pre-

a measure for policymakers, researchers and

methane gas comes from landfills).

ventative measures, increased testing, and

corporations to use for effective monitoring

more effective HIV treatment. Treatment

and evaluation.

“Why don't we do our own?” 18-year-

“We'd like you to listen,” Tregle, who

The larvae can also be processed and sold

postponed starting an engineering degree

as protein-rich animal feed, which matters

for a year to help organize the summit, told

is now so effective that 97 percent of people

The last decade showed indicators of in-

because the agriculture industry largely

Global Citizen. “We can be more than token

receiving antiretroviral therapy have unde-

creased positive peace: economic growth, for

relies on soy and fishmeal for feed, which

young people. We have learned enough about

tectable (and thereby untransmittable) lev-

example, which has improved on average by 7

contributes to deforestation in South

climate change that we could put things in

els of the virus, according to The Guardian.

percent. Other indicators that have improved

America (soy) and taking wild seafood fit

place ourselves.”

And pre-exposure prophylaxis drug (PrEP),

are free flow of information, sound business

for humans (fishmeal).

a drug that can be taken before sex, is al-

environment, equitable distribution of re-

The industry is projected to grow into the

Rican Sofia Hernández Salazar, told Global

most 100 percent effective at preventing

sources, high levels of human capital, good

billions by 2030 and could offer a solution

Citizen she first became interested in

HIV when taken as prescribed.

relations with neighbors, acceptance of the

to food waste issues and the greenhouse

climate activism after working with an NGO

Increased testing and support for people

rights of others, and well-functioning gov-

gases that come with it. These flies very

assisting refugees and migrants and learning

to continue treatment must continue to end

ernment. The only one of the eight pillars that

well could be a large-scale trash solution.

how climate change affects migration.

HIV transmission for good.

deteriorated was level of corruption.

The other good news? They aren’t attracted

Another organizer, 22-year-old Costa

"When we talk about the climate crisis, we

“Further progress can only be achieved

Their measure of improvements among

if we also address the inequalities in re-

these pillars of positive peace aren’t to say

ducing HIV transmission that exist around

that there aren’t problems — it just means

will negotiate an outcome statement in the

sexuality, ethnicity, and geography,” Valerie

the organization has measured quanti-

same legal format as the official talks. The

Delpech, the head of HIV surveillance at

fiable improvements that countries can

statement can then be used to lobby their

Public Health England, told The Guardian.

continue to build upon.

own respective governments.

to human habitation, they don’t transmit

are talking about humans," she said.

At the end of the event, the delegates

diseases, and they don’t bite.

HOW TO JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS GO OD

BET TER

BEST

Shop (RED) products and save lives. (RED) partners with brands you love to create products and experiences that fund the fight to end AIDS. Check out our (RED) recommendations in our Good Gift Guide later in this issue.

Donate to the Mercury Phoenix Trust, a nonprofit that supports people living with HIV/AIDS. They provide direct funding to both large NGOs and grassroots organizations doing meaningful projects around the world.

Volunteer with ONE — a global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, so everyone, everywhere can lead a life of dignity and opportunity. Learn more and take action at one.org.

W E H AV E G O O D N E W S

5

Deaths From Air Pollution Have Dropped Leaders From The Church Of England — But Not For The Reason You'd Think Apologized For “Damage And Hurt” From 1990 to 2017, death rates from air polTo LGBTQ People lution have dropped 43 percent, from 111 per

The two most senior figures of the Church

100,000 to 64 per 100,000, according to data

of England, the Archbishops of Canterbury

from the Institute for Health Metrics and

and York, apologized in November for the

Virginia Lawmakers Voted Unanimously To Make Juneteenth A State Holiday

Evaluation at the University of Washington.

"huge damage and hurt" the Church has

Air pollution is one of the leading risk fac-

caused to LGBTQ people. The statement

tors for many of the leading causes of death

accompanied teaching materials covering

In A Push For More Recycling, IKEA Is Buying Back Used Furniture

After lawmakers unanimously approved

including heart disease, stroke, lower res-

sexuality and gender identity.

IKEA, the world’s biggest furniture compa-

legislation during a Virginia General Assembly special session, Juneteenth has officially become a state holiday.

piratory infections, lung cancer, diabetes,

The Archbishoprs acknowledged that

ny, launched a second-hand furniture ven-

The day marks the day in 1865 when the

and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary

the church had caused, and continues to

ture in 27 countries. The Swedish company

news of the Emancipation Proclamation

disease). And even when it doesn’t cause

cause, "hurt and unnecessary suffering.”

is buying back its furniture that you bought

reached Texas, the last state to abolish

but no longer want or need.

slavery in the United States. The day Union

death, it greatly affects quality of life.

"For such acts, each of us, and

In 2017, air pollution contributed to

the Church collectively, should be

The company offers vouchers worth up

general Gordon Granger arrived in Galves-

approximately 5 million deaths, which

deeply ashamed and repentant," the

to 50 percent of the original price — to be

ton, Texas announcing freedom from slav-

amounted to 9 percent of all deaths globally.

leaders wrote.

spent at its stores. The value of each vouch-

ery in Texas came two-and-a-half years

The educational project took three years

er depends on the condition of the item re-

after President Abraham Lincoln officially

to make and includes a 480-page book, a

turned. Items returned “as new” will get 50

outlawed slavery. Presence of Union troops

series of films and podcasts, and an online

percent of the original price back.

was low in Texas, so news of the Proclama-

Death rates related to air pollution are highest in countries with the lowest incomes.

Surprisingly, the drop in deaths from air pollution isn’t related to efforts to increase

library of other publications.

"By making sustainable living more sim-

tion was slow.

outdoor air quality. Overall, outdoor air

"We have a lot to learn about life,” the

ple and accessible, IKEA hopes that the in-

The day — also commonly called Free-

pollution hasn’t changed much worldwide,

Bishop of Coventry told the Thomson

itiative will help its customers take a stand

dom Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day,

despite better quality in higher-income

Reuters Foundation. “We have a lot to

against excessive consumption this Black

and others — is now celebrated yearly on

countries. But the drop in death is related to

learn about relationships. We have a lot

Friday and in the years to come," the com-

June 19 with family reunions, cookouts,

increases in indoor air quality, which can be

to learn about love. We have a lot to learn

pany said in a statement.

parties, and more.

negatively impacted by using solid fuels for

about sex.”

Anything that can’t be resold in the

Governor Ralph Northam signed the

The church also announced the

store’s “as is” department will be recycled.

legislation on October 13 and signed an ex-

As cleaner alternatives, such as natural

establishment of a working group,

Their buy-back program is a creative initi-

ecutive order that gives executive branch

gas and electricity, become more available

chaired by the Bishop of London, Sarah

ative sure to give furniture a new life and

employees and state colleges the day off,

and affordable, and as people replace coal in

Mullally, that will discuss "a way forward

divert waste from landfills.

according to the Associated Press.

their homes with greener alternatives, the

... in relation to human identity, sexuality,

air they breathe becomes cleaner, too. An

relationships and marriage,” according to

added bonus is these alternatives also re-

the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

heating and cooking.

duce carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change.

This news offers a glimmer of hope for

WHAT'S THIS? THIS IS THE GOOD BAR.

two groups that have historically clashed.

We believe in celebrating good and then joining in and making a difference ourselves. The Good Bar is full of recommendations from the Good Good Good community on how to take action in meaningful ways. Start small and work your way up.

HOW TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY GO OD

BET TER

BEST

Build your empathy and understanding by following @glaad and more members of the LGBTQ community on social media or by watching documentaries like "State of Pride," which is free on YouTube.

Donate to Rainbow Railroad. This organization helps LGBTQ individuals escape persecution and violence.

They provide a route to safety — like an underground railroad — from Chechnya, Egypt, Jamaica, and more.

Volunteer at The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing life-saving crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people ages 13–24. Visit thetrevorproject.org.

MORE GOOD NEWS

6

Renewable Energy Hit Record Growth In 2020 According to the International Energy Agency, renewable electricity installation will hit a record level globally in 2020.

Almost 90 percent of new electricity generation in 2020 will

A Nonprofit Is Working To Increase The Number of Black Female Pilots — A Group That Currently Makes Up Less Than 1% Of Pilots

be renewable, with just 10 percent powered by gas and coal. source in 2025, displacing coal, which has dominated for the

A School District Was Able To Increase Teacher Pay For A Surprising Reason

past 50 years, The Guardian reported.

If we told you a school district started paying its teachers

Green electricity is on track to become the largest power

According to the nonprofit Sisters of the Skies, there are

more because of solar energy, would you believe us?

currently less than 150 professional Black female pilots in

That’s exactly what happened in one district in Arkansas.

the U.S. with airline transport pilot, commercial, military

When a local high school in Batesville, Arkansas — a city

or certificated flight instructor certificates — representing

just 17 miles west of the state’s largest coal-fired power plant

less than 1 percent of all professional pilots in the U.S.

— switched to solar power, it had an unexpected impact:

But the nonprofit is on a mission to "diversify the flight

increasing teacher pay.

deck." Many of their members experienced first-hand going

An audit from an energy efficiency company discovered

through flight school without a mentor to look up to or

that the school district could save at least $2.4 million over 20

relate to, often being the only woman of color in school or

years if it outfitted Batesville High School with solar panels

a training.

and updated the rest of the district’s facilities with new lights,

SOS works to make sure this won't happen for the next

windows, and heating and cooling systems.

generation of pilots by partnering young women of color

The district moved forward with the project and saw

interested in pursuing a career in the aviation industry with

benefits both environmentally and economically. In three Cutting carbon emissions to address the climate crisis has

years, they lowered their energy consumption by 1.6 million

“I never really considered myself as a pioneer or one of

made renewable energy more attractive to investors in re-

kilowatts and generated enough savings to turn the district’s

the first to do anything,” Alaska Airlines pilot and Sisters

cent years. The IEA reported that the value of shares in solar

$250,000 budget deficit into a $1.8 million surplus.

of the Skies member Tara Wright said in a video interview

companies has more than doubled since December 2019.

women of color who have already earned their wings.

for Bloomberg. “I knew that I was going to be a positive role

“Renewable power is defying the difficulties caused by the

model for all the other young women who were coming up

pandemic, showing robust growth while other fuels struggle,”

in aviation and also all the little girls that I come across in

Fatih Birol, the IEA’s executive director, told The Guardian.

the terminal.”

“The resilience and positive prospects of the sector are clearly

They also want to introduce more young girls to the

reflected by continued strong appetite from investors.”

industry. At their outreach events, girls get to suit up in

By 2025, she said, renewables are expected to supply one-

pilot gear, manipulate the flight controls, talk to air traffic

third of the world’s electricity. Also according to the IEA, so-

control, plan their own flight, and even fly in a jet.

lar power capacity has increased by 18 times since 2010 and

“I try my best to keep the path as smooth — less rocky —

wind power by four times.

“Governments can … help bring about a sustainable recov-

for the next one coming,” United Airlines pilot and Sisters of the Skies member Theresa Clairborne said to Bloomberg.

ery and accelerate clean energy transitions,” Birol said.

A portion of the surplus is going toward teacher’s salaries — up to $3,000 for each educator.

“Now we’re in the top quartile in the state,” superintendent Michael Hester said to Climatewire.

Batesville’s move represents a larger trend among schools: Since 2014, there’s been an 81 percent increase in renewable energy among schools using solar energy. And Hester said at least 20 districts in the area have emulated their model.

This is good news all around. Educators get a well deserved pay raise, districts reduce their emissions, which impact climate change, and students get to see renewable energy in action.

HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS GO OD

BET TER

BEST

If you have kids in school, show some empathy to teachers. They have a hard job — made even harder by the many shifts of the pandemic. Give them the benefit of the doubt and ask them how you can best support them.

Make a donation to DonorsChoose, the site where public school teachers from across the country request much-needed school supplies for their students. You can help bring their requests to life at donorschoose.org.

Advocate to your elected officials in support of education. It's as simple as calling 1-844-USA-0234 (which will automatically call your reps) and telling whoever answers that you care about supporting education.

MORE GOOD NEWS

7

Alberta Eliminated Fees For Addiction Recovery Programs

The Elderly Are Getting Younger New research shows that the functional

Patients With Severe Paralysis Can Now Text And Email With Their Eyes

Addiction treatment can be costly for

ability of older people is better than it was

Researchers just presented their design

many people — fees can be thousands of

for people of the same age three decades

for their implantable, wireless medical

dollars for inpatient facilities. But the

ago. Researchers from the University

device, which allows patients with severe

government in Canada’s Alberta province

of Jyväskylä in Finland compared the

paralysis to resume daily tasks such

physical and cognitive performance of

as texting, emailing, and shopping and

people nowadays between the ages of

banking online — all without the need for open brain surgery.

the 72 licensed, publicly funded treatment

A Rope Bridge Offers A Solution To Habitat Loss For Primates

centers in the province.

For endangered gibbons in China, habitat

75 and 80 with that of the same-aged

The $40 daily cost for room and board

loss from a landslide prevented them from

people in the 1990s and found that their

Patients in the study were able to

will be covered for everyone who does not

swinging from tree to tree. But a new rope

physical and cognitive function has

successfully use their eyes to navigate their

have health insurance plans that would

bridge enables them to move more easily and

improved meaningfully.

cursor instead of a mouse or keyboard. They

cover the cost.

shows promise for other primates affected

just eliminated fees for people to attend

"We are contributing to a transformational

by habitat loss related to human activity. becoming

web pages.

fluency, reasoning, and working memory

"This is a breakthrough moment for the

mental health and addictions, Jason Luan,

increasing problem,” Tremaine Gregory, a

are nowadays significantly better than

field of brain-computer interfaces,” Thomas

told the Canadian news organization CBC.

conservation biologist at the Smithsonian’s

they were in people at the same age

Oxley, CEO of Synchron, a neurovascular

"Our major step forward, this milestone, will

National Zoo and Conservation Biology

born earlier.

bioelectronics medicine company that

signal another best practice that we hope

Institute, said to Science News. “It’s

“Performance-based measurements

conducted the research, said to EurekAlert!

will lead the country with our numbers, with

probably going to be, along with climate

describe how older people manage in

“We are excited to report that we have

our evidence."

change, one of the biggest challenges for

their daily life, and at the same time, the

delivered a fully implantable, take home,

biodiversity in decades.”

measurements reflect one’s functional

wireless technology that does not require

Some families even sell their car,

is

walking speed, reaction speed, verbal

can even use their eyes to zoom and click

an

change in the sector," associate minister of

“Fragmentation

They discovered that muscle strength,

empty their life savings, or take out

These artificial structures offer a way

age,” the principal investigator of the

open brain surgery, which functions

second mortgages on their homes to pay

to connect forests and aid in conservation

study, Taina Rantanen, said on the

to restore freedoms for people with

for addiction treatment, according to

efforts. The primates, which were already

university’s website.

severe disability.”

CBC. But this shift makes good economic

critically endangered, were fragmented into

The biggest reason for these differences?

One patient was able to use the implant

sense for all. Luan said substance use

smaller breeding groups, which can lead to

Changes in the world in which we live. We

to contact his spouse, which increases

cost Alberta $5.5 billion in 2014: to pay

in-breeding or even groups dying out.

can thank better nutrition and hygiene,

his autonomy and reduces the burden of

for health services, police, court and

Eventually, the scientists who installed

improvements in health care and the school

her caregiving. Another patient was able

corrections costs, and in lost productivity.

the bridge observed the gibbons crossing the

system, better accessibility to education,

to conduct work-related tasks and other

Every dollar invested in prevention can

bridge about as frequently as the animals

and improved working life.

independent activities.

save another $12 down the road, he said.

had traveled that stretch of forest before

“The cohort of 75- and 80-year-olds born

The new technology offers a solution for

Eliminating this barrier to treatment

the landslide. It’s encouraging that the

later has grown up and lived in a different

patients who can now resume tasks that

will hopefully encourage people who

bridge provides a temporary solution while

world than did their counterparts born

were once impossible because of paralysis

need help to pursue it. It's a win for the

transplants of native trees grow and other

three decades ago,” university postdoctoral

and will be able to someday help millions of

governmnent and for people.

trees regenerate.

researcher Matti Munukka said.

patients with paralysis.

HOW TO BEST SUPPORT CONSERVATION EFFORTS GO OD

BET TER

BEST

Learn more about the problems facing animals against the world, the solutions proposed by experts, and how you can get involved — all via IFAW's Projects page at ifaw.org/projects.

With just a few clicks, you can make a big difference for our planet. Discover how to stand up for nature, join the World Wildlife Fund community, and spread the word at worldwildlife.org/how-to-help.

Together we can fill the world with more animal helpers.

Donate to the Jane Goodall Institute as they help young people become the informed generation of conservation leaders the world urgently needs. Visit janegoodall.org.

THIS YEAR IN GOOD NEWS

8

THIS YEAR IN GOOD NEWS

03 - MAR The World Stepped Up To Fight COVID-19 March marked a month when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. It was also the month that the whole world stepped up to fight the virus.

In many ways, this was the most uniting month of the year. People committed to

01 - JAN

staying home and social distancing, retired health care workers stepped back into their

Gestures Of Goodwill To Support Australia’s Bushfire Crisis

previous roles, and the world rallied around putting an end to the disease. March was

It might feel like a lifetime ago, but

a beautiful reminder that we can come

remember the bushfires that ravaged

together to make a difference.

Australia? They burned millions of acres

— In the UK, 4,000 nurses and 500

of land, destroyed thousands of homes,

doctors signed up within 48 hours of the

displacing thousands and killing wildlife.

National Health Service’s call for help

Australians banded together by offering accommodation, food, medicine, and

02 - FEB

from retired medical professionals. (The London Economic)

funds for the heroic firefighters fighting

A Glimmer Of Hope In Syria

the blaze.

The conflict in Syria has caused hundreds of

service to homes with unpaid bills so people

Doctoral student Erin Riley founded an

thousands of deaths, internal displacement

could wash their hands. (The Seattle Times)

Understatement of the year: 2020 was

impromptu organization in just four days’

of more than 7 million people, and more

— Utah prepared to keep providing meals

one for the history books. In a year full of

time. The organization, FindABed, is a

than 5 million refugees.

surprises, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed

database of volunteers offering a place to

by the challenges 2020 brought. It’s for

stay for evacuees and animals.

The conflict is complex and ongoing.

— The City of Detroit restored water

to students who rely on getting them at school. (The Salt Lake Tribune)

There’s been little, if any, progress toward

— China sent a team of medical experts

good reason, too: At the time of printing,

Riley is just one example of Australians

peace in the country since it started.

and gear to help Italy fight COVID-19. (The

COVID-19 has claimed the lives of

stepping up to support one another amid

There have been peace talks several times

South China Morning Post)

more than 1.3 million people worldwide,

the devastation of the bushfires.

since 2011, but there isn’t an end in sight

shutdowns have cause financial ruin for

A pharmacist named Raj Gupta kept his

businesses, families, and individuals, and

pharmacy open despite the area having

One small glimmer of hope is that Syria

the United States is facing what some call

no power and no cellular service — and

resumed commercial flights in February

the most divisive political landscape we’ve

despite the fact that his home had burned

this year. A Syrian Air flight took off from

had since the Civil War.

down from the fires that week.

Damascus and landed in Aleppo, a first

It’s been rough for so many people.

And it’s OK if you haven’t loved this year.

The loss of power meant he couldn’t take payment for the medications.

for the war.

since 2011, when the airport in Aleppo closed because of the crisis. The flight

At Good Good Good, we never want to

“People will come back and pay,”

was a symbolic win amid a war that has

avoid the reality of the world’s greatest

he told the Guardian. “They are very

torn the country apart and led to a global

pains. Instead, we look for hopeful stories

honorable people.”

refugee crisis.

happening right within them. In seeking

The rest of the world rallied by donating

(Note: This story is nuanced because of all

good news, we’ve been able to see that no

to the cause and spreading the word on

the parties who were involved to make this

matter how bad the world may seem, there

social media. Celebrities and public figures

happen. The conflict is obviously complex,

is still reason to hope. Here’s the good we

appealed to their followers on Instagram,

but we think it’s good news because it’s a sign

found out of 2020 >>

and musicians held fundraising gigs.

of greater stability in the region.)

THIS YEAR IN GOOD NEWS

9

03 - MAR

06 - JUNE

Continued

People Took A Stand For Racial Justice

— Soccer fans in Italy donated their ticket

The month after a Minneapolis police

refunds to hospitals in need. (Bild)

officer killed George Floyd, protests of police

— Liquor and perfume companies began

brutality, police racism, and lack of police

making hand sanitizer in their factories.

accountability erupted in more than 2,000

(CNN) — A landlord in Maine paused rent for his tenants because of the COVID-19 outbreak, anticipating economic hardship.

(Newsweek) — Grocery stores introduced special

04 - APR Tiger King Animals Are Now Living In Sanctuaries

05 - MAY

U.S. cities and 60 countries. Violence against Black people and protests against it aren’t

Lockdown Showed Us That Nature Can Heal

new, but in June the movement gained new steam and caught fire. It was clear that there

At this point in the pandemic, lockdowns in

was new energy and enthusiasm in these

many countries had been in effect in some

protests not seen before.

The last episode of Netflix’s Tiger King

capacity for at least a month. While many of

People used their voice to demand justice

— New Orleans Pelicans player Zion

came out on April 12. For some reason,

us began to fear that this would last forever,

for Floyd and for racial justice generally

Williamson pledged to cover the salary

everyone watched this bizarre show about

the environment began to thrive. While at

— many speaking out for the first time. It

of New Orleans arena workers for 30

big cat breeding and the eccentric culture

first we were skeptical whether it would

made a difference.

days. (NBC)

surrounding it.

make any lasting impact, we can think of

According to the New York Times, net

shopping hours for elderly people. (NBC)

— In a show of unity, people in Italy leaned

One piece of good news you should

these effects as experiments in ways we can

support (respondents who support the

out their windows to sing together during

know is that 39 tigers (plus three black

create changes that last. We can see how

movement minus those who do not support

the lockdown. (The Independent)

bears) from Joe Exotic’s zoo are living in a

these actions, when done by the masses,

it) for the Black Lives Matter movement

Colorado animal sanctuary, the Wild Ani-

can actually make a difference.

increased in the two weeks after Floyd’s

— Animal shelters cleared out as people chose to adopt and foster pets during stayat-home orders. (NBC)

mal Sanctuary.

"We try and give them large open spaces,

Firstly, pollution

carbon went

emissions down.

and

air

death by nearly as much as it had over

According

to

the previous two years. (Sadly, others

— The City of Toronto acquired hotels and

plenty of places to run, decide what they do

reporting from the Guardian in May,

intensified in their opposition to BLM

rental buildings to provide shelter for people

throughout the day, if they want to lay in

lockdowns caused a 17 percent drop in

because of rioting and looting, which were

experiencing homelessness during the

the sun, play in the water, scratch on a log,"

global carbon emissions. It makes sense:

largely unrelated to activist activity).

coronavirus outbreak. (CityNews Toronto)

Becca Miceli, chief science and animal

People stayed home and businesses were

welfare officer at the sanctuary, told ABC.

closed, so everyone was using less energy.

This global movement also brought about some policy changes — all of the following

She said many of Joe’s tigers had health

Air pollution in large cities also dropped

problems and still have ongoing physical

dramatically between March and May

problems and mental trauma. She said she

of this year. According to the Centre for

hopes the series will raise awareness of

Research on Energy and Clean Air, levels of

disband the city's police department.

the exploitation of exotic animals and in-

nitrogen dioxide — a key ingredient in smog

Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City

spire people to protect big cats.

— declined by an average of 27 percent in 12

pledged to move funding from the city's

"Those are all living beings to us,

major global cities 10 days after lockdowns

police department toward youth and social

and we want to see them flourish,”

were initiated, compared to the same period

services. Washington, DC, and states

Miceli said.

during 2017–2019.

including California, Nevada, and Texas,

Also in April, Joe Exotic was convicted

Additionally,

some

wildlife

began

happened in less than a month following Floyd’s death: Minneapolis

lawmakers

vowed

to

banned chokeholds. These are just a few

for several wildlife violations. He’s cur-

returning to places it hadn’t been seen in

rently serving a 22-year prison sentence

some time. With beaches free of tourists,

To be clear: It shouldn’t take a tragedy to

for those charges, in addition to charges

rare giant turtles called leatherbacks

create change, and there are more systemic

related to an alleged attempt to hire hit-

returned to beaches in places like Florida

issues to tackle, but we celebrate that more

men to kill Carole Baskin, the owner of Big

and Thailand. They were seen in numbers

people engaged this year because it moved

Cat Rescue.

not seen in decades.

the needle, even if just a little.

examples, but there are more.

THIS YEAR IN GOOD NEWS

12

08 - AUG New Zealand Gave Us Hope For COVID-19

09 - SEPT

10 - OCT

California Made It Easier for Inmate Firefighters To Go Pro After Release

Thousands Of Nigerians Protested Against SARS

In September, California governor Gavin

You may have seen the hashtag #EndSARS

Newsom signed into law a bill that

going around social media back in October.

makes it easier for formerly incarcerated

No, no one was talking about the disease.

volunteer firefighters to go pro. The new

They were talking about the notoriously

law will streamline the process to expunge

violent and corrupt Nigerian police unit,

their felony records, which clears the path

SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad).

to pursue careers as firefighters.

Since the beginning of October, tens

In August, New Zealand announced they

For decades, inmate firefighters have

of thousands of young Nigerians have

had gone 100 days without a new COVID-19

battled wildfires across the state, working

protested a long history of brutality and

infection. For a country with nearly 5

alongside professional firefighters in the

corruption in the agency, which has

million residents, this is a remarkable feat.

heat and smoke for little to no pay. Yet

largely gone unchecked by the Nigerian

At the same time, the country reported it

after being released from prison, these

government. Despite promises from the

had just 23 active cases, all in isolation. The

men and women who put their lives on

government to disband it at the demand of

country has fared far better than others,

the line to save lives and property often

its citizens, it has yet to do so.

By this point in 2020, sports started

with just over 1,200 recorded cases as of

find it impossible to put their skills to use

returning. MLB had their Opening Day on

August and 22 deaths.

professionally because of their records.

07 - JUL Sports Returned, With A Sign Of Gender Equality Progress

A video showing the unprovoked shooting and killing of a man by

July 23, the NBA and WNBA both resumed

The country has been praised for its

Many activists argue that the state’s

uniformed SARS officers was a catalyst

in late July, and golf and soccer were already

handling of the virus and as of August had

reliance on incarcerated labor is unfair

for the movement's largest protests yet

underway in many places.

eased most of its lockdown restrictions.

— prisoners receive about $1 per hour

— and they're happening throughout

Notably, Alyssa Nakken made MLB

To thank are the country’s early lockdown

while working active fires, compared to

the country.

history in July as the first woman to coach

restrictions, tough border restrictions,

the average firefighter salary in California

On October 12, the Nigerian president

on the field during a major league game. She

effective health messaging, and test-and-

starting at $40,000 per year, according

responded to the protests by announcing

coached first base for the San Francisco

trace programs, BBC reports. What we

to CareerExplorer.

that he would disband SARS as a first step

Giants during an exhibition game against

find most compelling is the empathetic

the Oakland A’s.

leadership style of the country’s prime

an

technician

from his staff said officers would simply

The Giants announced her hiring as an

minister, Jacinda Ardern. She framed

certification, the first step in becoming

be relocated to other units. Peaceful

assistant coach in January. CNN reports

combating the pandemic as the work of a

a professional firefighter in most places.

protests continued, but on October 20,

that she joined the organization in 2014

unified “team of 5 million” — which resulted

With their felony record eliminated,

police shot into crowds of unarmed

as an intern in the baseball operations

in high public confidence and adherence to

these heroes could be considered for

protestors. At least a dozen people were

department, where she worked on a variety

pandemic-control measures.

employment like any other applicant.

killed that evening.

of special projects related to the amateur

What we can learn from New Zealand

The new law makes it easier to earn emergency

convicted

This is still unfolding, but the good

is that it’s possible to control the spread of

of violent offenses, including arson,

news is that this has turned into a global

coronavirus. With quick, science-based

kidnapping, and rape would be barred

movement, which can put pressure on

Nakken’s coaching on the field became

assessments, early, decisive government

from having their records expunged.)

the government to swiftly take action.

big news in the baseball world. We think

action, and dedicated cooperation from the

it’s big news everywhere because it shows

public, we can fight this thing.

draft,

international

operations,

and

player development.

(Some

former

medical

inmates

in “extensive police reform.” But many

“After seeing all these young men and

Protests have spread to cities around the

women stand side by side with our other

world and have attracted mainstream

progress for gender equality, and it’s

Of note: The country did see new cases

fire crews and knowing that they had no

media attention. Nigerians continue

even better because the response was

after August, but by implementing these

hope of entering that profession, I knew

to demand total disengagement of the

overwhelmingly positive. Women have

effective measures again, they have seen

that it was wrong and that we needed to

unit and wide-ranging police reform.

value to offer in every industry, and it’s

about 700 additional cases and three

do something about it,” Assemblymember

Demonstrators have pledged to continue

about time we see that value in action.

additional deaths since August.

Eloise Reyes, the bill’s author, told NBC.

until demands are met.

THIS YEAR IN GOOD NEWS

11 - NOV

12 - DEC

Americans Voted In Record Numbers In This Year’s Election

This issue was printed on November 20,

More than 159 million Americans voted in

we can predict the future. But here’s what

this year’s presidential election — a record

the Good Good Good team is manifesting

high in a presidential election and the

for the month that will round out the roller

highest voter turnout rate among eligible

coaster that was 2020:

and sadly technology hasn’t yet made it so

citizens since 1900. More than 100 million

In December, we see record spending

of these votes were cast during the early

on small businesses, helping support them

voting period.

through the end of the year. People won’t

According to the U.S. Elections Project,

buy everything on Amazon but instead

almost 240 million people were eligible to

will choose to shop local (safely, through

vote in 2020, making this election’s turnout

online shopping, pick-up, or in-store while

rate about 66 percent, which is the highest

following guidance).

voter turnout rate since 1900.

We see people signing up to volunteer

The number of ballots cast in 2020 by

— not just during the holidays, but at

mail or in person before Election Day more

regular intervals so nonprofits can depend

than doubled that of earling voting in 2016.

on consistency.

This year saw about 23 million additional

We see people taking the pandemic

votes than in 2016, too: About 136 million

seriously. As the scientific and medical

people voted in the 2016 presidential

communities work tirelessly to learn more

election, compared to about 159 million

about the virus, the public will do their

this year.

part to take care of one another by wearing

The additional turnout can partly be

masks, washing their hands, socially

attributed to the expansion of absentee

distancing, minimizing time outside their

voting this year because of the pandemic-

homes, and being kind to essential workers.

related safety concerns. Many states

We see people making sustainable

expanded mail-in and in-person early

choices. People will opt to drive instead

voting. Texas led early voting with at least

of fly, which reduces greenhouse gas

9.6 million votes cast before Election Day,

emissions. People will minimize waste

according to NBC News.

when wrapping gifts — or better yet, won’t

Higher turnout rates show that the American public is more willing to engage

wrap their gifts at all and will choose gifts with little to no packaging to throw away.

with the country’s democratic process.

This is the world as it could be. It’s what

And when more people participate, our

we hope for — and it’s a world that we can

government can better reflect the people it

make a reality through our choices. It starts

serves. That’s a win for all.

with you.

13

MORE GOOD NEWS

14

The 2020 Election Was Good News For Representation CHECK OUT THESE REPRESENTATION WINS FROM THE 2020 ELECTION:

The Pandemic Has Led To Renewed Trust In Science For the first time in three years, science skepticism declined.

The world's confidence in the relevance and importance of science is on the rise, and according to the science and innovation company 3M, it could be because of the pandemic.

Kamala Harris will be the first woman in one of the top

3M’s State of Science Index shows that appreciation for

two U.S. executive offices and the first Black and Indian

science and trust in scientists has increased significantly

American vice president.

in 2020, compared to past years. This reveals an increased

Washington elected the first Korean-American woman

understanding of how important science is in our lives.

to Congress. Marilyn Strickland is also the first Black

Almost 70 percent of respondents said science is very

representative from the state.

important to society, up 11 points from pre-pandemic.

Oklahoma voters elected the first non-binary and Mus-

Unfortunately, 32 percent of respondents still believe that

lim state House representative. Mauree Turner is one of

their lives wouldn’t be that different if science didn’t exist

the first non-binary lawmakers in the country.

(which isn’t true).

Delaware voters elected the first transgender state sena-

“The world is waking up to the role that science plays

tor in U.S. history. Sarah McBride won 86 percent of the

in our everyday lives," the 3M report said. "During the

Some good news came out of the 2020 general election, and

vote in Delaware. “I hope tonight shows an LGBTQ kid

pandemic, scientists and experts have become the new rock

it's all about representation, representation, representa-

that our democracy is big enough for them, too,” she said.

stars; friends and family are displaying a renewed thirst

tion. We saw big wins for women, BIPOC, the LGBTQ com-

New York voters elected the first two openly gay black

for knowledge. … Leaders around the world are relying

munity, and more.

men to Congress. They made history (times two!) by

on science to inform shifts in societal behavior that have

electing Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones.

massive economic and health implications."

Better representation among our elected officials matters because it means the makeup of those key decision-makers

Maryville, Tennessee elected a woman to City Council

Most interestingly, 3M’s research revealed how united the

more closely resembles the varying and diverse perspec-

for the first time ever. Sarah Herron is the first woman to

world is in following science to solve our biggest challenges:

tives of the people they represent. More representation in

ever be elected to serve on the city’s Council.

92 percent said people’s actions should follow scientific

government means better representation of what America

Miami-Dade voters elected the first woman to serve as

advice to contain the spread of COVID-19, and 82 percent

actually looks like.

the county’s mayor, Daniella Levine Cava.

said there are negative consequences to a world that doesn’t

Come January 2021, the 117th U.S. Congress will have

Missouri voters elected the state’s first Black Congress-

value science.

the most women legislators ever: 134, including 48 wom-

woman. Cori Bush is Missouri’s first Black woman to be

en of color, according to the Center for American Women

elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in STEM,

and Politics. That breaks the previous record set in January

Rhode Island voters elected their first Native American

3M said in their report. The pandemic has pulled into

2019 of 127 women.

woman to the state House. A former teacher, Brianna

focus the urgency of STEM education. To encourage more

Henries is the first Native American woman elected to

young people to pursue STEM, we need to teach science in

Women make up more than half the U.S. population but will

the Rhode Island House.

an engaging way, show students how science gives them a

now still only make up 25 percent of Congress. We celebrate

Wyoming voters elected their first woman Senator. Cyn-

platform to make the world better, and give students a better

progress over perfection, though, and these numbers defi-

thia Lummis will be the first woman to represent Wyo-

understanding of the spectrum of career opportunities in

nitely have us on the right track.

ming in the U.S. Senate.

science, the report said.

Notably, these numbers are far from where we need to be:

To further this trend of renewed trust in science, we need

HOW TO HELP GET UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES ELECTED WOMEN LEADERS

LGBTQ LEADERS

BL ACK LEADERS

She Should Run is a nonpartisan nonprofit working to dramatically increase the number of women considering a run for public office. Join their community and even ask an inspiring friend to run at sheshouldrun.org.

LGBTQ Victory Fund works to recruit, train, and elect officials at all levels of government. Support representation by signing a petition, contributing to a candidate, or learn about running for office at victoryfund.org.

The Collective PAC is working to fix the challenge of underrepresentation of the Black community in elected seats of power. Find and support candidates running in federal, state, and local elections at collectivepac.org.

G I F T S T H AT D O G O O D

15

WORK FROM HOME

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GIFTS THAT DO GOOD It’s the most wonderful time of year! And with it comes the

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GIFT GUIDE

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This “Joy Is An Act of Resistance” tote is both functional

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GIFT GUIDE

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Green Kid Crafts creates kid subscription boxes that help kids exercise creativity, develop a love for discovery, and learn about the world around them without contributing

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to our world’s massive waste problem. It was founded by an environmental scientist who wanted her kids to engage in creative learning but was dismayed by the amount of waste generated by traditional crafts. Some of their best-selling boxes include a volcano-making kit, slime-making kit, and

Tonico is a CBD tincture using only two ingredients: organic coconut oil and organic, full-spectrum, thrice-filtered cannabis oil.

a weather science box. | $30+, greenkidcrafts.com

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A Kids Book About creates books that help kids and

their grownups have honest conversations about challeng-

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With every purchase of a Sackcloth & Ashes kids

blanket — a cozy blanket made from recycled materials —

ing, empowering, and important topics. Impressively, 10

you get a free copy of the book “Everyone Is Someone,” a

of their books were selected this year for Oprah’s Favorite

children’s book that teaches we are all more similar than

Things list. Titles include A Kids Book About Optimism, A

we are different — that everyone, everywhere, is someone.

Kids Book About Empathy, A Kids Book About Feminism,

For every blanket you buy, one blanket and one book are do-

and A Kids Book About Depression. Save $5 with the code

nated to a child in foster care. Use the code GOODGOOD-

GOODGOODGOOD. | $20, akidsbookabout.com

GOOD for 30% off. | $89, sackclothandashes.com

STOCKING STUFFERS 3 2

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For the sentimental one in your life, a mini photo book

from Artifact Uprising might get the happy tears flowing.

The 5x5 book is easily customizable and made from recycled paper. Small book, big impact. | Starting at $15, artifactuprising.com

Give the gift of good in a fun and unique way with

Lotto Love, a scratch-off “lottery” card that benefits someone in need. Instead of winning a monetary prize, a charitable prize is donated to causes related to literacy,

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From the company that made the Final Straw, the

Final Spork is meant to be just that — the final spork you

clean energy, food, or solar energy. Here’s how it works:

ever use. FinalCutlery creates reusable cutlery that

You buy a Lotto Love card as a gift for someone else, the

reduce the need for plastics, empower people to change

recipient scratches off the card and discovers what they

their buying habits, and raise awareness of the impacts

won for someone in need, and the money used to purchase

of our everyday decisions on the environment. The Final

the card is donated to one of the company’s charitable

Spork is foldable, portable, and can be used to eat anything

partners. | $20 for a two-pack, givelottolove.com

you’d need a fork OR spoon for. | $35, final.co

WHY IT’S GOOD: Tonico is just CBD in Coconut Oil. That’s all.

Tonico believes in compassionate pricing — their CBD is far less expensive than what’s out there.

Tonico donates 12% of all profit to holistic rehabilitation for veterans and research on the medical uses of CBD Learn more about CBD and save 25% at: tonicocbd.com

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THERE'S STILL SOME GOOD TO BE FOUND IN 2020 Good Good Good is Climate Neutral Certified, which means we have measured, reduced, and offset our entire carbon footprint.

The Goodnewspaper is printed in the USA on recycled paper with soy-based inks. We also donate 1% of all sales to environmental nonprofits, certified by 1% for the Planet. When you've finished enjoying this newspaper, please share it with a friend, creatively re-use it, or recycle it.