The Return of the Weekly Good News Report
Aug. 9th, 2025 10:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatI was going to post a quote of the day, but I can't remember it? So probably not that important.
After a bit of a lull, here is the return of the Good News Report, which is mainly about the environment, and not for once, about a hundred different litigation disputes. (In case you didn't already know that that US is a highly litigious country, with an insanely complicated court system - 2025 has managed to educate you on that point with interest, and in less than six months. 2025 is providing litigation attorneys with a lot of work.)
Anyhow, this post is mostly about environmental good news, although I'm certain there will be court cases resolved and otherwise in the middle of it, because that's how we roll.
Disclaimer: As always, good news much like humor and beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. So mileage may vary on this?
1. The United Nations reported a global shift toward renewable energy, passing a “positive tipping point” where solar and wind power will become even cheaper and more widespread.
https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-solar-wind-power-fossil-fuels-6aca4846e594ea8405f91edda39a03ad?sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
2. Todd Koehnke and Tim Macklin, cofounders of the Collective Oyster Recycling and Restoration, have set out to restore the health of Connecticut’s overfished oyster beds by collecting shells from about 50 seafood restaurants in the state and dropping them back where they came from.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/used-oyster-shells-connecticut-long-island-sound/?ck_subscriber_id=2496857656
3.Conservationists and AI are successfully teaming up to help save the California red-legged frog.
https://www.npr.org/2025/07/19/g-s1-78230/ai-california-frog-science-conservation-threatened-species?ck_subscriber_id=2496857656
4. Despite the national extension shutting down, Illinois is keeping its dedicated 988 lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth.
https://khqa.com/news/local/illinois-to-keep-988-suicide-crisis-lifeline-for-lgbtqia-youth-after-national-extension-hangs-up-federal-funding-cuts-trump-administration-governor-jb-pritzker-idhs-secretary-dulce-m-quintero-mental-health-behavioral-services-counseling-support-teens?sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
5. There are now about 11,400 high-speed, public charging stations in the US, and hundreds more are being added every few months. Driven by the private sector, the rapid expansion has continued despite the Trump administration’s freezing of construction subsidies.
https://archive.is/
6.President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognize Palestine as a state in pursuit of what he called the historical French commitment “to a just and durable peace in the Middle East.”
https://archive.ph/CcnmN
7.Enbridge announced it will invest $900 million on a 600 megawatt solar power project in Texas.
https://archive.ph/Z9ARd#selection-1309.20-1319.206
8.In general, donations to NPR and PBS stations have surged since Trump’s cuts were signed into law.
https://archive.ph/vc5ex
9.Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels signed a declaration of principles to end decades of fighting, commit to a comprehensive peace agreement, and commit to “building trust” through various measures.
https://apnews.com/article/congo-m23-rebels-peace-qatar-rwanda-f80166117d557991896ef89d4cd3a324?user_id=66c4cab45d78644b3acfbcde&sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
10.Tree planting in England is now at its highest recorded rate in over 20 years
https://forestrycommission.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/27/a-year-of-growth-tree-planting-rates-hit-their-highest-level-in-over-20-years/?sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
11. In a landmark ruling, the International Court of Justice declared that failure to act on climate change can be an “internationally wrongful act”—meaning countries could face legal consequences for harming the planet.
https://www.wired.com/story/the-icj-rules-failing-to-combat-climate-could-be-a-violation-of-international-law/
12.UCLA has teamed up with USC and civic partners to create ShadeLA, a coalition which aims to expand urban tree canopy and shade infrastructure, building heat resilience for Angelenos.
https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-usc-civic-partners-shade-los-angeles?link_source=ta_thread_link&taid=687efedc02047c00016c6998
13.Renewables like solar and wind are now crushing fossil fuels on price. More than 90% of renewable sources are now cheaper than their available carbon-emitting alternatives.
https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/07/22/more-than-90-of-new-renewable-energy-projects-are-now-cheaper-than-fossil-fuels-study-show
14.Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials in Germany have discovered a new, low-carbon way to source nickel using hydrogen plasma—instead of coal-derived coke—to extract it from ore.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01356-w
15.In an environmental wildlife conservation success, piping plovers have made a dramatic recovery in Maine.
In 1981, according to Maine Audubon coastal bird biologist Sophie Garland, the state had 10 pairs of plovers nesting on its beaches. This year, there are 174 pairs.
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/life/animals/wildlife/piping-plovers-maine-audubon-environmental-success-conservation/97-58d3111d-c4fb-48e3-9bd5-e9d9e379268a?sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
16.Atlanta passed a ordinance updating the city’s building code to require reflective roofing materials on new buildings, a move aimed at cutting down heat trapped by traditional dark roofs. (Sunblock for Cities).
https://www.levernews.com/you-love-to-see-it-sunblock-for-cities/
17.A coalition of eight countries has pledged to tax so-called premium fliers as a way to raise funds for climate action.
Flying comes with a lot of carbon emissions, but not all plane seats are environmentally equal. Seats that take up more space, like business or first class, come with a higher personal carbon footprint than the tightly packed seats in economy. Private jets, which have fewer than 20 seats total, are even more polluting per person. Now a coalition of eight countries has pledged to tax so-called premium fliers as a way to raise funds for climate action.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91361581/france-spain-and-6-other-countries-pledge-to-tax-premium-flyers?ref=climativity.com
18.The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication’s opinion maps show that majorities in all 50 states now think climate change is impacting weather patterns, and 63% are worried about it. The maps also reflect strong support for several climate policies and initiatives.
https://mailchi.mp/yale/new-climate-opinion-maps-66-of-americans-support-a-transition-to-100-clean-energy-by-2050?e=332524a866
19.Europe’s largest floating solar farm is now operational in France.
https://www.ecowatch.com/largest-floating-solar-farm-europe.html
20. A coalition of groups, ranging from environmental activists to Native Americans advocating for their ancestral homelands, converged outside an airstrip in the Florida Everglades Saturday to protest the imminent construction of “Alligator Alcatraz.”
https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/29/us/alligator-alcatraz-protests-immigration-florida-hnk?sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
21. A federal judge has issued an order temporarily halting construction at an immigration center in Florida's Everglades. The judge said the addition of lighting, paving, fencing, fill, and other building on the site must stop while she hears a challenge to the facility brought by environmental groups. However, immigration detentions and other operations at the facility will continue as the legal process moves ahead.
In a lawsuit, Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice and the Miccosukee Tribe say the rushed construction of the facility — dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz' by state officials — without public input or an environmental impact statement violates federal law.
https://www.npr.org/2025/08/07/nx-s1-5495636/judge-halts-construction-alligator-alcatraz-florida
22.Klamath River Renewal Project
The largest dam removal in U.S. history is underway. It’s restoring tribal land, salmon runs, and native ecosystems. The river flows free for the first time in over a century.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euIMPU650Z4
23.Flint, Michigan replaces most lead pipes (11,000)
Nearly a decade after high levels of lead were first detected in the City of Flint’s drinking water, the state of Michigan has submitted a progress report to a federal court marking the completion of its lead line replacement program.
On Tuesday, the Natural Resources Defense Council, who secured a settlement with the city and the state in 2017 to replace all of Flint’s lead lines, acknowledged that more than eight years later, the state had replaced nearly 11,000 pipes and restored more than 28,000 properties.
https://michiganadvance.com/2025/07/02/flint-completes-lead-pipe-replacement-11-years-after-beginning-of-water-crisis/
24.Nashville volunteers cleaned up Shelby Park
Collecting over 600 pounds of litter. Families, students, and even local musicians joined together for the riverfront cleanup effort. It made the city greener and cleaner and reminds us how community can make a difference.
https://www.friendsofshelby.org/volunteer
25. Texas just won big against ExxonMobil
The Supreme Court let stand a $14.25 million penalty for 16,000+ Clean Air Act violations at Exxon’s Baytown refinery. The case was led by citizen groups and they won. This is one of the biggest environmental fines ever upheld in the U.S.
https://www.chron.com/business/article/exxon-mobil-baytown-pollution-court-20400740.php
26.Dolphins return to New York’s East River proof of cleaner water
Two short-beaked dolphins were spotted near Manhattan, the first such return in years. Experts credit stricter pollution limits and stronger marine protections. A hopeful sign of urban waterways healing.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/24/dolphins-new-york-east-river-environment
27.Los Angeles Plans World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing
Built over a 10-lane highway to help mountain lions and other wildlife roam freely. It's part of a massive conservation effort to reconnect habitats. Construction is underway and expected to finish by 2026.
https://www.discoverwildlife.com/environment/wallis-annenberg-wildlife-crossing-california
28. Colorado’s I-70 Wildlife Bridge is halfway done
Colorado is building a wildlife overpass along I-70 near Vail Pass.
It’s designed to protect animals like bears, moose, elk, and lynx from deadly traffic crossings. When complete, it will be one of the largest wildlife bridges in North America.
https://www.summitcountysafepassages.org/initiatives/vail-pass/
29. America's fastest train launches this August...
Whether you’re a last-minute weekender or a power commuter, this train opens up new travel possibilities out of Penn Station. Imagine sipping a latte at Café Acela and flying down the coast at high speed–all with USB ports, high-speed Wi-Fi, and first-class legroom!
With 27% more seating capacity and expanded weekday and weekend service, it’s never been easier to hop on a train for a quick D.C. getaway or business trip to Boston. Amtrak President Roger Harris says:
https://secretnyc.co/americas-fastest-train-amtrak-nextgen-acela-launches-from-nyc-this-august/
30. You’ll also be pleased to note that the Trump administration is (reluctantly) rehiring meteorologists at the National Weather Service after immense outcry following the deadly Texas flash floods a month ago.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/05/weather/nws-rehiring-doge-layoffs-climate
After a bit of a lull, here is the return of the Good News Report, which is mainly about the environment, and not for once, about a hundred different litigation disputes. (In case you didn't already know that that US is a highly litigious country, with an insanely complicated court system - 2025 has managed to educate you on that point with interest, and in less than six months. 2025 is providing litigation attorneys with a lot of work.)
Anyhow, this post is mostly about environmental good news, although I'm certain there will be court cases resolved and otherwise in the middle of it, because that's how we roll.
Disclaimer: As always, good news much like humor and beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. So mileage may vary on this?
1. The United Nations reported a global shift toward renewable energy, passing a “positive tipping point” where solar and wind power will become even cheaper and more widespread.
https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-solar-wind-power-fossil-fuels-6aca4846e594ea8405f91edda39a03ad?sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
2. Todd Koehnke and Tim Macklin, cofounders of the Collective Oyster Recycling and Restoration, have set out to restore the health of Connecticut’s overfished oyster beds by collecting shells from about 50 seafood restaurants in the state and dropping them back where they came from.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/used-oyster-shells-connecticut-long-island-sound/?ck_subscriber_id=2496857656
3.Conservationists and AI are successfully teaming up to help save the California red-legged frog.
https://www.npr.org/2025/07/19/g-s1-78230/ai-california-frog-science-conservation-threatened-species?ck_subscriber_id=2496857656
4. Despite the national extension shutting down, Illinois is keeping its dedicated 988 lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth.
https://khqa.com/news/local/illinois-to-keep-988-suicide-crisis-lifeline-for-lgbtqia-youth-after-national-extension-hangs-up-federal-funding-cuts-trump-administration-governor-jb-pritzker-idhs-secretary-dulce-m-quintero-mental-health-behavioral-services-counseling-support-teens?sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
5. There are now about 11,400 high-speed, public charging stations in the US, and hundreds more are being added every few months. Driven by the private sector, the rapid expansion has continued despite the Trump administration’s freezing of construction subsidies.
https://archive.is/
6.President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognize Palestine as a state in pursuit of what he called the historical French commitment “to a just and durable peace in the Middle East.”
https://archive.ph/CcnmN
7.Enbridge announced it will invest $900 million on a 600 megawatt solar power project in Texas.
https://archive.ph/Z9ARd#selection-1309.20-1319.206
8.In general, donations to NPR and PBS stations have surged since Trump’s cuts were signed into law.
https://archive.ph/vc5ex
9.Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels signed a declaration of principles to end decades of fighting, commit to a comprehensive peace agreement, and commit to “building trust” through various measures.
https://apnews.com/article/congo-m23-rebels-peace-qatar-rwanda-f80166117d557991896ef89d4cd3a324?user_id=66c4cab45d78644b3acfbcde&sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
10.Tree planting in England is now at its highest recorded rate in over 20 years
https://forestrycommission.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/27/a-year-of-growth-tree-planting-rates-hit-their-highest-level-in-over-20-years/?sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
11. In a landmark ruling, the International Court of Justice declared that failure to act on climate change can be an “internationally wrongful act”—meaning countries could face legal consequences for harming the planet.
https://www.wired.com/story/the-icj-rules-failing-to-combat-climate-could-be-a-violation-of-international-law/
12.UCLA has teamed up with USC and civic partners to create ShadeLA, a coalition which aims to expand urban tree canopy and shade infrastructure, building heat resilience for Angelenos.
https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-usc-civic-partners-shade-los-angeles?link_source=ta_thread_link&taid=687efedc02047c00016c6998
13.Renewables like solar and wind are now crushing fossil fuels on price. More than 90% of renewable sources are now cheaper than their available carbon-emitting alternatives.
https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/07/22/more-than-90-of-new-renewable-energy-projects-are-now-cheaper-than-fossil-fuels-study-show
14.Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials in Germany have discovered a new, low-carbon way to source nickel using hydrogen plasma—instead of coal-derived coke—to extract it from ore.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01356-w
15.In an environmental wildlife conservation success, piping plovers have made a dramatic recovery in Maine.
In 1981, according to Maine Audubon coastal bird biologist Sophie Garland, the state had 10 pairs of plovers nesting on its beaches. This year, there are 174 pairs.
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/life/animals/wildlife/piping-plovers-maine-audubon-environmental-success-conservation/97-58d3111d-c4fb-48e3-9bd5-e9d9e379268a?sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
16.Atlanta passed a ordinance updating the city’s building code to require reflective roofing materials on new buildings, a move aimed at cutting down heat trapped by traditional dark roofs. (Sunblock for Cities).
https://www.levernews.com/you-love-to-see-it-sunblock-for-cities/
17.A coalition of eight countries has pledged to tax so-called premium fliers as a way to raise funds for climate action.
Flying comes with a lot of carbon emissions, but not all plane seats are environmentally equal. Seats that take up more space, like business or first class, come with a higher personal carbon footprint than the tightly packed seats in economy. Private jets, which have fewer than 20 seats total, are even more polluting per person. Now a coalition of eight countries has pledged to tax so-called premium fliers as a way to raise funds for climate action.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91361581/france-spain-and-6-other-countries-pledge-to-tax-premium-flyers?ref=climativity.com
18.The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication’s opinion maps show that majorities in all 50 states now think climate change is impacting weather patterns, and 63% are worried about it. The maps also reflect strong support for several climate policies and initiatives.
https://mailchi.mp/yale/new-climate-opinion-maps-66-of-americans-support-a-transition-to-100-clean-energy-by-2050?e=332524a866
19.Europe’s largest floating solar farm is now operational in France.
https://www.ecowatch.com/largest-floating-solar-farm-europe.html
20. A coalition of groups, ranging from environmental activists to Native Americans advocating for their ancestral homelands, converged outside an airstrip in the Florida Everglades Saturday to protest the imminent construction of “Alligator Alcatraz.”
https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/29/us/alligator-alcatraz-protests-immigration-florida-hnk?sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
21. A federal judge has issued an order temporarily halting construction at an immigration center in Florida's Everglades. The judge said the addition of lighting, paving, fencing, fill, and other building on the site must stop while she hears a challenge to the facility brought by environmental groups. However, immigration detentions and other operations at the facility will continue as the legal process moves ahead.
In a lawsuit, Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice and the Miccosukee Tribe say the rushed construction of the facility — dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz' by state officials — without public input or an environmental impact statement violates federal law.
https://www.npr.org/2025/08/07/nx-s1-5495636/judge-halts-construction-alligator-alcatraz-florida
22.Klamath River Renewal Project
The largest dam removal in U.S. history is underway. It’s restoring tribal land, salmon runs, and native ecosystems. The river flows free for the first time in over a century.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euIMPU650Z4
23.Flint, Michigan replaces most lead pipes (11,000)
Nearly a decade after high levels of lead were first detected in the City of Flint’s drinking water, the state of Michigan has submitted a progress report to a federal court marking the completion of its lead line replacement program.
On Tuesday, the Natural Resources Defense Council, who secured a settlement with the city and the state in 2017 to replace all of Flint’s lead lines, acknowledged that more than eight years later, the state had replaced nearly 11,000 pipes and restored more than 28,000 properties.
https://michiganadvance.com/2025/07/02/flint-completes-lead-pipe-replacement-11-years-after-beginning-of-water-crisis/
24.Nashville volunteers cleaned up Shelby Park
Collecting over 600 pounds of litter. Families, students, and even local musicians joined together for the riverfront cleanup effort. It made the city greener and cleaner and reminds us how community can make a difference.
https://www.friendsofshelby.org/volunteer
25. Texas just won big against ExxonMobil
The Supreme Court let stand a $14.25 million penalty for 16,000+ Clean Air Act violations at Exxon’s Baytown refinery. The case was led by citizen groups and they won. This is one of the biggest environmental fines ever upheld in the U.S.
https://www.chron.com/business/article/exxon-mobil-baytown-pollution-court-20400740.php
26.Dolphins return to New York’s East River proof of cleaner water
Two short-beaked dolphins were spotted near Manhattan, the first such return in years. Experts credit stricter pollution limits and stronger marine protections. A hopeful sign of urban waterways healing.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/24/dolphins-new-york-east-river-environment
27.Los Angeles Plans World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing
Built over a 10-lane highway to help mountain lions and other wildlife roam freely. It's part of a massive conservation effort to reconnect habitats. Construction is underway and expected to finish by 2026.
https://www.discoverwildlife.com/environment/wallis-annenberg-wildlife-crossing-california
28. Colorado’s I-70 Wildlife Bridge is halfway done
Colorado is building a wildlife overpass along I-70 near Vail Pass.
It’s designed to protect animals like bears, moose, elk, and lynx from deadly traffic crossings. When complete, it will be one of the largest wildlife bridges in North America.
https://www.summitcountysafepassages.org/initiatives/vail-pass/
29. America's fastest train launches this August...
Whether you’re a last-minute weekender or a power commuter, this train opens up new travel possibilities out of Penn Station. Imagine sipping a latte at Café Acela and flying down the coast at high speed–all with USB ports, high-speed Wi-Fi, and first-class legroom!
With 27% more seating capacity and expanded weekday and weekend service, it’s never been easier to hop on a train for a quick D.C. getaway or business trip to Boston. Amtrak President Roger Harris says:
https://secretnyc.co/americas-fastest-train-amtrak-nextgen-acela-launches-from-nyc-this-august/
30. You’ll also be pleased to note that the Trump administration is (reluctantly) rehiring meteorologists at the National Weather Service after immense outcry following the deadly Texas flash floods a month ago.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/05/weather/nws-rehiring-doge-layoffs-climate
no subject
Date: 2025-08-09 10:39 pm (UTC)It's wonderful how the combination of art and ecological concern have had an impact like that. Plus it's become a tourism draw.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-10 12:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-10 02:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-10 09:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-10 02:16 pm (UTC)