Good Resources

Good Good Good resources to help you feel more hopeful and do more good

Close-up of a wet sidewalk with raindrops visible on its surface, blurred vehicles and street lights in the background.

As climate change worsens flooding, some places are becoming 'sponge cities'

Across the continental U.S., intense single-day precipitation events are growing more frequent, fueled by warming air that can hold increasing levels of moisture.

Cross-stitch embroidery on light blue denim fabric showing a pattern of small crosses in white thread on the upper section and dark navy thread on the lower section, with a wooden needle, thread spool and tan thread visible on a wooden surface.

Visible mending: Why you should give your clothes a second life — and show off the repairs

Extending a garment’s life by just nine more months can reduce its carbon, water, and waste footprints by up to 20%.

Two people sit in chairs in a wooded area, each working on a laptop computer.

5 ways to add more time in nature to your routine — even during work hours

Getting outside despite your 9‑to‑5 job can improve your mental health. Here are some expert-backed tips to spend more time in nature.

A group of volunteers plants a small evergreen tree in soil outdoors, with several people gathered around watching and assisting with the planting work.

Every $1 a city spends on parks returns $3 — and scientists want more trees

Researchers are calling for cities to double down on one of the simplest yet most powerful solutions to many problems - planting more trees.

A sand castle with multiple towers stands on a beach as swimmers and waders enjoy the ocean in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

These 3 small changes to your next beach trip could save endangered sea turtles

Plastic litter, bright lights, and abandoned sancastles can pose threats to sea turtles. Here’s how to help.

Sea turtle hatchling on a beach being shone in a circle of red artificial light.

Do sea turtles only hatch during a full moon? Your top 5 questions about sea turtles, answered by an expert

Marine biologist Katherine Sayler answers the internet’s top questions about sea turtles.

I spent 6 months reading hundreds of poems written by teens. I was shocked to discover that they are full of hope

Young people are facing a future shaped by climate anxiety, political extremism, economic instability, and chronic loneliness. But that's only part of the story.

A person blotting their head with a towel as they sweat

Parts of the US are about to see the hottest temps in over a decade. Here's how to stay safe

Know the warning signs of heat stroke — and how to prevent overheating in general — to protect yourself this summer.

An American flag flies in the sky, with green leafy trees in the foreground

With America's 250th around the corner, it's important to know the difference between patriotism and nationalism

There's a difference. And it's not just important to scholars, but all citizens.

Cropped in version of new Disability Pride flag

12 Best Ways To Celebrate Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month — a time for all disabled people to unapologetically celebrate our bodies as they are. Whether you are disabled or an ally, Disability Pride Month is full of so much to celebrate.

Red, blue, and yellow fireworks light up the night sky

Fireworks can torment veterans and gun violence survivors. Here's how to celebrate with respect this 4th of July

For people with PTSD, the sound of fireworks — reminiscent of gunfire, a thunderstorm, or a car crash — can cause a panic attack or trigger flashbacks.

Satellite view of North America showing forests, plains, deserts, mountains, lakes and coastlines, with geographic borders omitted.

Imagine the US without human-imposed borders. Here's how nature would draw the map

For the country's 250th anniversary, Smithsonian curators draw different kinds of maps that tell a story beyond state lines.