@GOODGOODGOODCO
THE 2020 EDITION
ISSUE 18
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.
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.
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