Every day the Good Good Good team collects the best good news in the world and shares it with our community. Here are the highlights for this week!
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The Best Positive News We’re Celebrating This Week —
Australia has so much solar power that it wants to give it to people for free
The Australian government is working on a program that would share solar benefits with everyone on the grid, providing electricity completely for free in the middle of the day during peak hours.
While coal is still the country’s second-largest export, and it was formerly a coal-heavy country, solar and wind have rapidly taken over the electricity grid in Australia.
That’s cut into its electricity-related climate emissions, resulted in cleaner air, and helped contribute to the fight against the climate crisis, which is already causing record high temperatures and wildfires in the country.
Why is this good news? The pros just keep stacking up when it comes to solar power and clean energy sources. It’s so abundant and cheap, an entire country says it can give it away for free.
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You may also like: Solar is now 41% cheaper than fossil fuels, new UN report finds: ‘The sun is rising on a clean energy age’
This Pittsburgh dad did a $150 grocery run to feed his neighbors during SNAP cuts. What happened next left his whole body 'shaking'
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An entrepreneur started a company that provides period products paid for by ads, not women, to fight period poverty
Remy Tucker has calculated the cost of having a period over the course of a lifetime — and it’s $10,000. That’s why she founded On The House, a startup that seeks to end period poverty and get feminine hygiene products to those who need them most.
Through its period product vending machines, On The House uses ad revenue from bathroom posters to dispense free period products.
Today, there are five machines in public and commercial bathrooms across Brisbane, Australia, but Tucker has ambitious plans to scale up nationally — and then bring her idea to countries around the world.
A pilot program is helping reduce Colorado’s above-average veteran suicide rate
More than 369,000 veterans live in Colorado, and in 2022 — the most recent data available — 178 of them died by suicide, significantly higher than the national veteran suicide rate and the overall rate for both the state and the country.
To combat those devastating numbers, in 2021 Colorado passed legislation investing $1.6 million in a pilot program called Next Chapter, which pairs veterans with mentors so they have a constant support system, and “know who to call” when they’re struggling. It’s also staffed entirely by veterans, helping clients feel seen and understood.
Initially setting out to connect with 700 veterans, the program has already served over 1,200. A June 2025 report found that more than 80% of participants reported a drop in their thoughts of self-harm and suicide, and of those who had reported prior suicide attempts, the majority had decreased those attempts.
Why is this good news? The VA provides mental health care and resources at eight locations across the state, but the wait time for a new patient seeking services at three Colorado Springs-area clinics in September this year was a minimum of 32 days. Next Chapter gives those same people care within nine days — a potentially life-saving difference.
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I’m a veteran. Here’s what to say instead of thanking me for my service.
‘Forrest Gump’ actor Gary Sinise donated $1 million to build a ‘creative lab’ for veterans to heal through art
Founded by Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient Richard Casper, CreatiVets is a nonprofit helping veterans with service-related trauma heal through creative expression.
It’s latest project: transforming a long-abandoned Nashville church into a “creative lab” for veterans to pursue songwriting, sculpting, scriptwriting, and other art forms.
And “Forrest Gump” actor Gary Sinise donated $1 million toward purchasing that building, further expanding on his longtime commitment to supporting veterans.
Why is this good news? The veteran suicide rate is 20 suicides per day, with 14 of them not seeking support from the VA, and veterans account for 20% of all suicides in the country.
Creative expression has been proven effective at reducing both PTS symptoms and the severity of depression that often accompanies it — this new center will be “a place to go when the PTSD hits.”
Republican governor addresses SNAP cuts, directs people to 900+ resources: ‘How do we help the most vulnerable in our state?’
Stronger democracies tend to have lower levels of corruption
Even when it feels tough or you don’t like your options, it’s important to exercise your right to vote. New data shows another reason why it’s so important: it reduces corruption.
While levels of democracy and corruption are difficult to measure, experts agree on certain standards and metrics that indicate how democratic a country is — free and fair elections, equal voting rights, fundamental freedoms — and how frequent corruption is — fairly enforced laws, bribery, etc.
When looking at the data, research on the causal link suggests that democratic systems can help both expose and reduce corruption. And the opposite may also be true: corruption can weaken democracies.
A critically endangered black rhino calf was born in the wild in Kenya
In the spring, rangers first suspected a new eastern black rhino calf may have been born after seeing what appeared to be baby tracks behind a mother’s tracks — and their suspicions were confirmed.
Camera traps caught a glimpse of the mother and baby in a remote mountain range in southeastern Kenya. It’s the mother’s first calf, and researchers believe it’s about six months old. It brings the total number in the region to nine.
So far, rangers have observed that the calf is healthy and “acting like you would think a cute little baby rhino would,” though they cautioned that young rhino calves are still “very vulnerable” to natural and human-caused dangers.
Why is this good news? Eastern black rhinos are critically endangered, and this particular birth happened in a tiny subgroup, the Chyulu population, which is of “critical value” to rhino conservation because of its genetic independence — bringing it back could strengthen the entire black rhino gene pool.
AI is helping doctors repurpose old drugs for new cures: ‘The solution is in your neighborhood pharmacy’
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An analysis found that China’s emissions have been flat or falling for the past 18 months
China is the world’s largest polluter, but a new analysis found that it may have hit hits target for peak carbon dioxide emissions well ahead of schedule. Its emissions have been flat or falling for 18 months.
Rapid deployment of solar and wind power generation led the country’s energy sector emissions to remain flat, even while demand for electricity increased.
In the first nine months of 2025, China added 240 gigawatts of solar capacity and 61 gigawatts of wind capacity — putting it on track for yet another record year. Last year alone, it installed 333 gigawatts of solar power, which was more than the rest of the world combined.
Five Native tribes are coming together to protect a 624k-acre cultural landscape in California
Filled with towering rocks, hidden canyons, and its namesake lizard, Chuckwalla National Monument in California is one of the country’s newest protected public lands. It also holds sacred significance for the area’s Native tribes.
Five of those tribes have now established an intertribal commission to co-manage the 624,000-acre landscape, a historic step toward the tribes’ long-term goal of full sovereignty over the lands.
While it holds no veto power, the commitment is still significant. The tribes each passed resolutions to recognize their roles on the commission, and will now work to appoint members and write bylaws.
Why is this good news? Establishing a land use commission would not traditionally be cause for celebration, but in light of the U.S. government’s historic interactions with Native peoples, this is a significant, high-profile platform to advocate for the land. Especially as the Trump administration has hinted at a potential reversal of the monument’s designation.
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5 ‘foods of the future’ that could help save the planet
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Over 1 million balcony solar panel systems have been installed across Germany
Germany has been quietly bringing the benefits of renewable energy to renters across the country — over one million small solar panel systems now hang from apartment balconies and terraces across the country.
The milestone represents a major shift in how Germans generate their own electricity, especially among renters. The plug-and-play solar systems, called “Balkonkraftwerke” in German, can be installed without an electrician and plug into a regular wall outlet.
While the systems are limited to between 600 and 800 watts, but it’s enough to run your refrigerator, charge laptops, power LED lights, and run other small appliances throughout the year.
More good news of the week —
Nevada became the first U.S. state to constitutionally protect same-sex marriage. Last week, nearly two-thirds of Nevada voters said the state’s constitution should be amended to remove a provision stating marriage is only between a man and a woman, so if the U.S. Supreme Court ever reverses its decision on gay marriage, the state will still protect marriages.
Food reviewer and TikTok creator Keith Lee is using his platform to help feed families this holiday season. Lee, who shared that he’d relied on SNAP before, asked brands to help feed families instead of sending him promotional packages, and hundreds took him up on it.
Stranger Things star Joe Keery, also known by his musician stage name Djo, is donating $1 per tour ticket to LGBTQ+ youth. Keery is donating the money in support of The Ally Coalition, which partners with musicians and music fans to fight against discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ youth.
A nurse in Uganda climbs a 1,000-foot ladder to bring life-saving medical care to people in need. (Video) The ladder is too steep for pregnant people, children, and the sick to climb, so nurse Agnes Nambozo brings care to them, with her most essential mission being vaccinating children against polio, measles, tetanus, and pneumonia as the country pushes to reduce childhood mortality.
New research found that growing large shade trees could entirely offset cocoa-related emissions in West Africa. Cocoa is one of the most emissions-intensive crops to grow, and simply growing shade trees, like banana and palm trees, would store enough carbon to offset those emissions and have no impact on production.
The Missing in America Project has provided thousands of dignified burials for “unclaimed” veterans. The project combs through lists of unclaimed remains at funeral homes and morgues, and then spends years verifying the veteran status of those they suspect might have served in the military. When a veteran is found, volunteers begin the search for family.
Together with a nonprofit, a retired veteran is building free ramps for his senior and disabled neighbors. Before Pete Adler enlisted in the Army, he majored in architecture. Now, after spending 25 years in equipment maintenance and supply, and another 17 years as a civilian employee, Adler is back to his architectural roots — for a good cause.
A woman- and veteran-run business is turning shipping containers into bespoke homes for homeless veterans. Mākhers Studio creates custom units, veteran housing, classrooms, and modular health clinics out of shipping containers acquired from localized supply chains, ultimately recycling about four tons of steel and producing an estimated 50% less landfill waste in installation.
Women veterans are receiving more benefits and care from the VA than ever before. Progress is attributed to legislative measures and ongoing initiatives such as the PACT Act and the new Women's Health Research Collaborative.
The Green Bay Packers gave a $250k grant to help build the state’s first housing project for homeless veterans. The Green Bay Packers Give Back outreach program had an impact of over $13 million in 2023, and so far this year, the team is making strides in supporting a special cause: Homelessness among veterans.
A nonprofit provides professional clothes to veterans so they can re-enter the workforce with confidence. While federal law requires government agencies to establish employment assistance centers, veterans are still left behind when it comes to acquiring new job skills, building confidence, and starting a new life mission.
A nonprofit connects military members with volunteers to care for their pets while they’re on deployment. Dogs on Deployment also provides financial assistance for military pet owners, promotes responsible, life-long pet ownership, and keeps beloved animals out of shelters while their owners are away.
Combat diving veterans are using their skills to protect and restore ocean health. Faced with needing a new mission, Force Blue connects the specialized skills of these veterans with the world of coral reef conservation for the betterment of both.
Scientists created a breakthrough test that could detect endometriosis biomarkers in period blood. Current methods of diagnosing endometriosis often require invasive blood tests, laboratory analyses, imaging studies, and extensive patient history collection, which can delay endometriosis diagnosis by up to 12 years.
A nonprofit is preventing $11 billion in unopened medicine from going to waste every year by redirecting it to people in need. Sirum is a nonprofit social enterprise that takes unopened, unexpired prescription medication and redistributes it to low-income communities across the country.
Denmark passed a law that will ban kids under 15 years old from social media platforms. It’s among the most sweeping steps yet by a European Union government to limit use of social media among teens and younger children, which has drawn concerns surrounding mental health.
Boston’s century-old steam heat system is being transformed into a first-of-its-kind clean “district energy” system. The new system will be capable of delivering warmth during the frigid New England winters, without releasing damaging carbon emissions — it’s already installed an electric boiler, and is now working on installing a heat pump.
Albania passed a new, stronger gender equality law to eliminate gender-based discrimination. The new law identifies measures to eliminate gender discrimination in critical areas such as labor, health and social protection, the media, agriculture and rural development, while recognizing and valuing unpaid care.
A New York tour group is helping disabled hikers get on the trail with free-to-use off-road wheelchairs. While an increasing number of green spaces are investing in improving accessibility, hiking in nature poses natural challenges because “the wood doesn’t care about ADA compliance.”
Massachusetts has rewilded 500 acres of retired cranberry bogs into wetlands. The state hopes to restore 1,000 acres in the next decade “into thriving wetlands that will provide habitat to important species, flood control in time of storms, and access for all to beautiful natural areas.”
In an overhaul of curriculum, students in England will be taught financial literacy, how to fake news, and more. Starting in September 2028, the curriculum will be adjusted to equip students with the skills needed to navigate the modern world, with primary-age children learning the fundamentals of money, how to spot fake news and be educated about climate change.
For the first time, Maryland’s school board reversed a local, county-level book ban. The Harford County school board had banned a young adult graphic novel called “Flamer” last summer, which sparked backlash among the community, with some arguing the removal defied the state’s Freedom to Read Act.
An experimental treatment saved the lives of eight young people with the most common childhood cancer. The “living drug,” made up of cells small enough to fit on a spoon saved the lives of patients under the age of 24 who were suffering from the aggressive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and had been declared terminal after multiple relapses and the failure of all conventional treatments.
A historic military facility in the Bronx is becoming a giant mixed-use facility with affordable housing, an event center, and more. The first phase will create a “state-of-the-art venue space … and more than 25,000 square feet of dedicated community space,” and the second phase will add roughly 500 units of permanently affordable rental housing.
A flagship report says the renewable energy supply boom will officially end the fossil fuel era. The International Energy Agency’s flagship report says the rise in low-carbon electricity will make the clean energy transition ‘inevitable’, despite President Trump’s calls to carry on drilling.
New FDA-approved daily eye drops will help adults with age-related vision issues. The eye drop is said to help combat presbyopia, otherwise known as age-related blurry vision, and with just one drop in each eye, a person’s vision will improve for up to 10 hours, so they won't have to wear reading glasses.
Restaurants in New Jersey are recycling discarded oyster and clam shells to rebuild coastal reefs. Instead of ending up in landfills, oyster and clam shells are collected from restaurants and then used to create and enhance oyster reefs in coastal waterways, which help provide habitats for marine life and improve water quality.
A project protecting the Brazilian rainforest with drones and AI won an Earthshot Prize. Brazil is home to some of the planet’s largest areas of tropical forest, but they are under intense pressure. The Atlantic Forest, on the country’s eastern coast, once covered 350 million acres, but today only 12% of it remains.
