Today (2017 C.E. - 2025 C.E.)

Pangolin

Nigeria passes major new wildlife trafficking law

By / / Good News For Humankind

A groundbreaking legal reform in Nigeria has created a strong deterrent against illegal wildlife trafficking. The new law increases penalties, targeting the pervasive trade where shipments of pangolin scales alone have reached staggering weights, such as 51 tons in 2019. This decisive action strengthens national enforcement and the capacity of rangers. It provides crucial protection for endangered species like pangolins and forest elephants, reinforcing the commitment to biodiversity in Nigeria and abroad.

Nine nations commit to recognizing 395 million acres of Indigenous land by 2030

By / / Good News For Humankind

A landmark international coalition has committed to formally recognizing 395 million acres of Indigenous and traditional community lands worldwide. The nine countries making this pledge are Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Gabon, Guatemala, the Republic of Congo, Peru, and Venezuela. This massive commitment to land tenure security empowers millions of Indigenous and local people to be the primary stewards of their ancestral territories, ensuring the permanent protection of globally vital carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots.

Salmon jumping

Salmon reach Upper Klamath River Basin for first time in over 100 years

By / / Good News For Humankind

The Klamath River Basin is celebrating a profound ecological comeback. While salmon returned to the lower river immediately after dam removal in 2024, they have now reached the Upper Klamath Basin for the first time. This unprecedented migration, confirmed by tribal and state monitoring crews, has successfully opened nearly 400 miles of ancestral spawning habitat. This is the largest river restoration project in US history, led by the Yurok, Karuk, and Hoopa Valley Tribes.

Sperm whales

IUCN approves major new North Atlantic marine sanctuary

By / / Good News For Humankind

The IUCN World Conservation Congress has voted to establish the Macaronesia Sanctuary. This massive transnational protected area spans the waters of Spain, Portugal, and Cape Verde, creating one of the world’s most ambitious marine sanctuaries. By safeguarding a vast migration corridor across four archipelagos, the initiative protects essential habitats from industrial fishing and maritime traffic. This historic agreement unites nations in a shared mission to secure the long-term resilience of this vital Atlantic ecosystem.

Pancreatic cancer breath test

New pancreatic cancer breath test hailed as major breakthrough

By / / Good News For Humankind

A breakthrough in early cancer detection is offering crucial hope against pancreatic cancer. The NHS has launched a national validation trial involving over 6,000 patients to test a simple breathalyzer device. Developed by researchers at Imperial College London, this non-invasive test identifies unique chemical signatures of the disease. This pioneering diagnostic tool promises to increase the percentage of patients eligible for potentially life-saving surgery.

Church in Gran, Norway

Church of Norway issues historic apology to LGBTQ+ community

By / / Good News For Humankind

The Church of Norway has reached a major milestone by issuing a formal apology for its past treatment of LGBTQ+ people. The church acknowledged that its past teachings and institutional practices contributed to the oppression, exclusion, and condemnation of LGBTQ+ members. This historic act of institutional repentance is part of a global wave of reconciliation seen across multiple denominations. This move reinforces the church’s commitment to full inclusivity, serving as an inspirational model for religious bodies worldwide.

Wind turbine

Humanity on track to triple renewable capacity by 2030 since 2023 pledge

By / / Good News For Humankind

The Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge, formalized at COP28 in 2023, committed nearly 200 countries to ambitious renewable energy goals.
Since that pledge, the pace of new installations has surged, with an average of over 550 gigawatts (GW) of new renewables capacity added annually, according to data from energy think tank Ember. To meet the tripling target, analysts say, renewable additions need to grow by just 12% each year from 2026 to 2030.
This massive, coordinated push is critical for keeping the crucial 1.5°C warming limit within reach.

Abigail Spanberger

Abigail Spanberger is elected Virginia’s first female governor

By / / Good News For Humankind

Virginia has reached a defining political milestone by electing Democrat Abigail Spanberger as the state’s first female Governor. This historic victory shatters a long-standing political barrier in the Commonwealth. Spanberger, whose platform centered on strengthening public education and expanding infrastructure, secured a clear mandate for pragmatic and inclusive governance. Her win is a triumph for political equity and mobilization, providing a powerful source of inspiration for women seeking political leadership nationwide.

Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani elected New York City’s first Muslim mayor in historic win for progressives

By / / Good News For Humankind

Mamdani’s decisive victory, achieved through powerful community organizing, signals an embrace of democratic socialism and progressive ideals in the nation’s largest city and beyond. The result stands as a clear repudiation of President Trump and conservative national narratives, demonstrating that an inclusive, equitable platform can successfully win the highest offices and inspire historic political participation. This triumph sets a powerful precedent for diverse, grassroots, progressive leadership nationwide.

Sunset over a river

Brazil dismantles hundreds of illegal dredges in major Amazon mining crackdown

By / / Good News For Humankind

A groundbreaking environmental victory has been secured in the Amazon through the removal of hundreds of illegal river machines. These large, floating mining dredges were the primary source of toxic mercury contamination in the waterways. The decisive government action significantly reduces public health risks for Indigenous communities who rely on fish for food. This vital enforcement protects tribal land sovereignty and allows damaged river ecosystems to begin their natural recovery.