Good News…2025

There is More Good News in the World Than Bad

It was January 2, and Maggie and Letitia were having their annual GOOD NEWS update.

“It was quite a year on many fronts,” said Maggie. “Going forward, the area which concerns me the most is the environment and climate change.”

“Me too,” echoed Letitia.

“Let’s start with COP 29, the annual U.N. convened meeting involving countries all over the world meeting to discuss the environment and make plans on how to handle climate change.”

Maggie continued, “This year’s meeting was held in Azerbaijan, a major oil-producing country, and because of the perceived fossil fuel bias, it is difficult to get a read on the real outcome.”

“For me, this year’s big takeaway was the developed countries agreement to provide $300 billion a year – up from $100 billion but less than what was requested – to offset the environmental damages caused in the developing world by the developed world.”

“Apparently 23 countries account for 50% of the world’s green house gas emissions,” chimed in Letitia.

“Perhaps this shortfall and ever-present need for money was behind the U.N.’s creation of their own Climate Relief Fund, focusing on private donations.” https://climaterelief.un.org/

“I like this,” said Maggie, “as it gives people a way to do something positive about climate change..something many people want to do, but do not know how.”

They both agreed it seems the media are reporting climate change as if it is an athletic event:

Fossil fuel companies, deniers and doom and gloom stories vs climate change optimists, doers and activists.

“One day they report either doom and gloom stories or big gains for the fossil fuel companies, fanning the feeling of helplessness of the situation and a few days later, reporting a positive gain or happening of the climate activists.”

“Reporting the fires in L.A. are doom and gloom stories, however they tell the story. Climate change is real and can motivate many people to do something,” said Letitia.

One possible negative happening is Trump’s plan to undo many of Biden’s positive environmental acts.

Trump’s oft reported statement of, “Drill, Baby Drill”, however, may just be a slogan, as the head of Exxon, Darren Woods, has stated it will be the non-government world and economics that determine how much drilling will take place…not the hot air of the President.

On the positive side, alternative energy sources are increasing, and at the same time coming down in price, and China – the world’s biggest generator of greenhouse gasses (the U.S. is second) – has also become the world leader in producing alternative energy.

In spite of Trump’s myopic climate views and uninformed statements, much of the U.S. government’s involvement in the environment is by the states and municipalities. While most of Biden’s Anti-inflation bill is about combating climate change, 80% of the money that has been promised for the environment has already been dispersed and therefore cannot be cancelled.

While U.S. participation in dealing with climate change is very important, other countries are also doing good things.

Letitia mentioned Finland along with Denmark, are considered to be the world’s greenest countries, and perhaps not coincidentally, the world’s happiest.

Finland is clean because of their forests, use of alternate energy, including wind, nuclear, geothermal and hydroelectric power and they are enhancing their green commitment every day.

They have also initiated a huge plan to develop an environmentally friendly diet plan for the country.

Can you imagine the enormous impact to the environment and one’s health this would make, particularly if adapted by other countries.

They talked about another U.N. conference held in Saudi Arabia aimed at combating desertification and land degradation. The conference brought together many who focused on innovative ways to transform agriculture, enhance drought resilience and restore land.

Ten young people from such countries as Cameroon and Costa Rica were earmarked as heroes for their creative ideas.

Of note, squash, melons and corn are now being grown in the desert.

Letitia added she just learned the Hopi Tribe in the western U.S.A. have been farming dry land for 250 generations (3,000 years). “Dry land farming is another practice we can learn from Indigenous People,” she said.

Maggie added, “I just heard birds are returning to the wetlands in Queensland, Australia. These wetlands are considered to be the ‘kidneys’ of the Great Barrier Reef. This is a positive happening and in Ethiopia, a considerable amount of the land has been reforested.”

They had both read an uplifting story in a recent edition of the Climate Optimist newsletter about the power of optimism fueling resilience, creativity and driving people to take action.

They concluded this is just a small part of the positive climate activity that is taking place and it all gives us HOPE and a belief in, “YES WE CAN!”

“I want to change the focus,” said Maggie.

“Here is something on health in Africa. The Canadian philanthropic organization Madiro, which focuses on healthcare in Africa by investing in African-based healthcare companies that need capital to expand, have just invested in a new home care business in Kenya.

The company is called, ‘Benacare.’ While home care by family members is a common happening in rural villages, it is gaining traction in urban centres.

In a short period of time, Benacare has placed 3,000 nurses and physios in over 15,000 homes. Madiro’s investment will help them expand to meet the increasing demand.

Madiro has also invested in an African company that produces affordable prescription glasses in 5 minutes for $5.

Poor eyesight and blindness are one of the biggest causes of disability, not only in Africa, but in the world.

Putting the free enterprise system to work is further good news as it also employs people and encourages entrepreneurship.”

Closer to home, Letitia, a former camper, said, “I was excited to see several Canadian charities – Amici and Kids for Camp among others – are paying for more and more children’s camp fees for children unable to afford to pay the fees. This includes newly arrived immigrants and refugees and Indigenous young people.”

“I have also heard there is a movement afoot to provide camping experiences for the many thousands still unable to afford to go to camp. It is well-known camp provides wonderful educational experiences. The children learn many skills and those experiences can improve the mental health of young people.”

Maggie said she had recently read an opinion piece in the, Globe and Mail by psychiatrist and author Thomas R. Verny, highlighting the value of compassion, (concern for the suffering or misfortune of others), not only for the receiver, but also the giver.

Research has determined if parents receive compassion training and use it when dealing with their children, they will reduce the stress hormone cortisol in their children. First, however, as pointed out in the article, according to the Dalai Llama, parents must care for their own welfare first.

“That is helpful new information for me,” said Letitia, a new mother.

Compassion and concern for others was also in evidence during Taylor Swift’s amazing recent Eras tour.

There were 149 concerts which started in March 2023, and ended in November 2024.

Estimates suggest revenues totaled about $3.2 billion and attracted about 10 million people in person, ranging in age from 5 to 95, to her concerts – the most successful concerts in musical history.

Tickets sold for as much as $14,000 in Vancouver and were attended by people from all over the world.

It required 90 trucks to move everything from place to place.

She gave out bonuses of $197 million to her staff and donated large amounts of money to food banks in every city where she performed.

The real success, however, is what the concerts and Taylor Swift did for her fans, “Swifties.”

Comments from some of the people who attended her shows included:

• created a sense of nostalgia and ,magic,
• created thousands of new friendships
• through her music gave people – the young in particular – a feeling of being understood (compassion), and according to many, the eras theme inspired people to think about their own journeys
• others liked her musical versatility, song writing and business acuity

People also thought she was authentic, emotionally genuine, and through her 3.5 hour performance and other activities, she connected with her audience

All of this are the reasons why people paid what they did for a special experience, for themselves and their children.

No wonder Forbes Magazine considers Taylor Swift to be, “One of the most powerful women in the world.”

They both sat quietly for a moment then Letitia piped up, “I just received an email that included some very moving and touching pictures and stories showing compassion. I wish I had the pictures to show you to go with the stories,” she added.

They included:

• A picture of a school graduating class, all of whom shaved their heads in support of their classmate who had cancer
• A picture of twin newborn sisters in one incubator. The smaller one was not doing well. The bigger girl threw her arm over her smaller sister in an endearing embrace. As a result, the smaller baby’s heart stabilized and her temperature rose to normal.
• A retired firefighter who showed up at the graduation of a girl he had rescued 17 years before, from her crib in a burning house.
• A picture of 5,000 people lined up for hours in the rain to get tested to see if they could help to save the life of a 5-year-old boy suffering from cancer.

“I have one last Good News Story,” beamed Maggie. “It is a book called, ‘52 + GOOD NEWS STORIES: HOPE in a Complex World.”

Author’s Note – It is a book by Chris Snyder…yes, the writer of this blog. Many of the stories are from my blog going back 5 years.

Here is what Mike Sladden, Director Emeritus of Camp Pathfinder, says,

“He gives a master class in delivering these stories humbly, in an engaging voice and readable style, to readers hungry for a little reassurance and a little reset of their perspective. Thanks to Chris, we also get energized to add our own efforts to the GOOD NEWS side of the ledger.”

The further Good News about this book priced at $34.95: It is available to readers of the blog for the special price of $29.95. Use discount code GOODNEWS at checkout to purchase your copy at https://hilborn-civilsectorpress.com/products/52-good-news-storiesHop

“There is no better time than now, said Maggie, to bring Good News to you, your family, friends and associates, and feel better about yourself and the world.” Letitia agreed.

Til next time,

Chris Snyder

Climate Optimist

Email: snyderchris74@gmail.com  

Stories of Good News and Hope: http://chrissnyder.ca/