The Positive News Thread

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Should The Work Week Be Shorter? Science Seems to Think So

Watching Birds Near Your Home is Good For Your Mental Health

Initiating a Global Citizens Movement for the Great Transition

A new publication by The Great Transition Initiative provides an inspiring vision of a more equal, vibrant and sustainable civilisation. From STWR’s perspective, all that it lacks is a sufficient focus on the critical needs of the very poorest citizens—which could ultimately forge the global solidarity needed to bring that new world into being.

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Sony World Photography Awards shortlist showcases pictures of the wonderful and sometimes very weird


A herd of buffalo visit a watering hole for a drink in the middle of the night at Zimanga Private Game Reserve, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.
Photo by Andreas Hemb

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Major Yogurt Maker Danone Decides to Prioritize Sales of Plant-Based Products (!)

New Scientist: The autistic mouse and other unlikely stories

Genetically modified animals are used to model all kinds of human conditions and diseases, but they’re not helping us find many treatments or new drugs.

Mowgli the Bear Gets Rescued

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The 'positive' part is the crisis/disaster being addressed...

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People All Over The World Are Helping This Indonesian Schoolteacher To Save Cats

An Expert's Take on the Past, Present, and Future of Fighting Climate Change

Frances Beinecke, former president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, was an early leader in the battle against global warming. Here she discusses what has been accomplished and what's left to be done.

German retail co-operative group REWE replaces plastic wrappings of food with laser logo (link goes to German press release)

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Couple Came Home To Find Their Dog Terminally Paralyzed But They Refused To Give Up

When the Gleeson's returned from their honeymoon they couldn't wait to see their dog Athena. They were heartbroken when they found she was paralyzed, all four of her legs! Things just got worse when they found out that her prognosis was terminal. But they refused to give up hope, and with time determination they got a miracle. Just look at Athena now!

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General Mills Plans Major Move Toward Cage-Free Eggs

Food maker General Mills announced a major move toward cage-free eggs Tuesday as part of an updated animal welfare policy that now extends throughout its global supply chain.

The Golden Valley-based company committed itself to 100 percent cage-free eggs for its U.S. operations, a move several other large companies also have taken recently. The company did not set a deadline but said it will work with its suppliers to determine a "reasonable timeline," given the disruption that bird flu has caused to the U.S. egg supply.

6 Countries Leading the Way in the Global Renewable Energy Boom

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The largest coal plant of Western U.S. will shut down in 2019 (decades ahead of schedule)

Public Interest Groups, Farmers File Lawsuit Challenging Monsanto’s Toxic Pesticides

Instead of being buried beneath the ground, humans can become the soil

European Citizens' Initiative: People 4 Soil

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Canadian Dogs Sniff Out Cancer in Firefighters

Zero Carbon Britain is possible

Zero Carbon Britain is the flagship research project from the Centre for Alternative Technology, showing that a modern, zero-emissions society is possible using technology available today.

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Project Estimated to Clean Up Ocean Plastics Within Decades

11 Examples of Resistance to Government Raids

Resistance to unjust government action is the duty of all people who care about human rights.

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The 50 Most Beautiful Places in Africa

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How Banana Trees Are Recycled Into Vegan Leather Wallets In Micronesia


Birds May Make Music, But They Lack Rhythm

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Clean Energy Jobs Are Powering America, Driving Innovation

U.S. Solar Industry Expected to Add Over 200,000 New Jobs by 2020

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Unbelievable!

All my respect and admiration for this hero without cape

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Love is a revolutionary act

Vancouver Aquarium Will Be Closing Its Beluga Exhibit

10 Remarkable and Rarely Seen Pictures That Bring Women's History Month to Life

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China coal consumption declines for third straight year

This woman has single-handedly helped Denmark reduce food waste by 25 percent

Deaths from natural disasters in Africa are plummeting thanks to mobile phones

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Red state rural America is acting on climate change – without calling it climate change

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Imagining A Future Where Autonomous Cars Let Everyone Carpool

Solar installations in US increased 95 percent last year

How your brain heals when you give up sugar

Somalia has a new remarkably young and diverse parliament

8 Disposable Things to Replace Today

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Queens St. Pat’s For All parade stand in solidarity with Muslim immigrants against Trump

Irish traditional musicians to host anti-Trump sessions across US (Why not pro peace/equal rights...?)

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Chemical Enlightenment? Can psychedelic substances bring personal transformation?

I am Q’uo and am aware of your query, my brother. The use of substances such as the marijuana or the LSD or the mescaline, and so forth, can be considered useful to a certain extent. That is, that the eyes are opened to a certain amount of a larger reality in which the nature of love, of light, of joy, of unity, are appreciated by such an entity. However, we would recommend that as in all experience or processing of catalyst within the third-density illusion, there is the opportunity to learn these basic lessons, and then to move in a, shall we say, more natural fashion for the further expression and experience of the higher levels of consciousness that are resulting from the personal efforts in what we would call a more natural manifestation of the meditation, the contemplation, the prayer, the utilizing of the catalyst of the daily round of experience. It is easy for some entities to become so used to the ease with which an expanded vision may be obtained in the use of these so-called drugs that there is not the exercise of the internal powers of perception and apprehension of the greater reality that is a natural portion of each seeker’s beingness. It is important for each seeker to exercise this natural ability to pursue understanding, if we may use this misnomer, in the daily round of activities. Thus, our recommendation is a limited and introductory use of such substances for the serious seeker of truth.

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What happens when a school district reduces meat and dairy consumption?

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Hyperloop One Pitches Elon Musk's Dream Idea to India

How a Pacific Island Changed From Diesel to 100% Solar Power

The island of Ta'u in American Samoa now boasts a solar microgrid from Tesla's SolarCity.

6 Ways Citizens Across the U.S. Are Using Science to Build a Better World

By collecting climate change data, monitoring air quality, and reverse-engineering insulin, locals are creating a more just and equitable society.

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Syrian refugee comforts dying stray dog at roadside

The little boy who would not leave a stray dog to die alone: Child fetches a blanket and sits with run over animal for its last hours

   Huseyin El-Hasan, 8, from Syria comforted a stricken dog that was hit by a car
   He ran home and wrapped the wounded dog in a blanket and stroked its head
   Unfortunately the dog died but the deputy mayor of Turkish city rewarded the boys kindness with gifts of food and blankets
   Huseyin issued the plea: 'Please drive carefully. What had the dog done wrong?'

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The Benefits of Using a Green Data Center

What Dr. Seuss Can Teach Us About Donald Trump

The children's book author invited young readers to consider what they'd do when faced with injustice.

A short tribute to the Planet Earth and the the people that inhabit it.

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The Worst View In the World: Banksy Builds The Walled-Off Hotel Smack Dab At the Apartheid Wall, Because Banksy

The hotel "offers a warm welcome to people from all sides of the conflict and across the world," reads Banksy's statement.

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Descendants of Slaves, Forerunners of Justice: American Muslims Must Stop Apologizing

Amazon begins large-scale rooftop solar installation across its warehouses

5 Top Tips for Sustainable Living

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New Documentary “Beyond Standing Rock”

The hourlong documentary will air on public television stations around the country in the coming months. Check back for updates HERE.

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As Politicians Target Sanctuary Cities, Faith Communities and Campuses Seek to Become Refuges