GOOD NEWS MAY

To bring attention to these positive and optimistic acts, we’re sharing a monthly roundup of our favourite good-news stories. These highlight any uplifting stories, useful resources, or promising scientific advancements, and help finish the month with a healthful dose of the positive.

All-Black Climbing Team Makes History Reaching Top of Everest, Inspiring Diverse Adventurers

Seven members of an all-Black mountain climbing team summited Mount Everest this month, with the assistance of eight Sherpa guides.

Despite the fact that hundreds of people queue up every year to climb Everest, just ten Black people have ever done it, including only one Black woman and one Black American.

"I am genuinely proud to report that seven members of the Full Circle Everest team summited on May 12," said Philip Henderson, the team's leader and an instructor at Nepal's Khumbu Climbing Center (KCC), which trains some of the world's best climbers. 

Among their team it was made up of indivduals from all around the United States, as well as one man from Kenya, range in age from 29 to 60, and include sociology professors, Microsoft data scientists, chemistry teachers, freelance photographers and filmmakers, an Iraq War II combat vet, and climbing experts.

Conrad Anker, founder of KCC and a colleague of Henderson's, told National Geographic about the achievement, "When children throughout the world see themselves represented in an all-Black expedition, they will experience and become part of the value set that is climbing."
He explained, "It would be lovely to just climb [Everest], but we are representing Black people." "As much as it will be a burden, I believe it will be beneficial."

Environmental activists were celebrated in global prize

Activists who helped defund coal, held big oil accountable, and file historic climate cases are among the recipients of this year's Goldman environmental medal, dubbed the "Green Nobel prize" for its international recognition of environmental activism.

Highlighting the power of individual action, the winners were: Alex Lucitante and Alexandra Narvaez, who led a movement to protect indigenous land from mining in Ecuador; Nalleli Cobo, who helped shut down a toxic US oil-drilling site; Julien Vincent, leader of a successful campaign to defund coal in Australia; Marjan Minnesma , who took the Dutch government to court over climate inaction (and won); Niwat Roykaew, whose actions halted an environmentally destructive shipping project in the Mekong; and Chima Williams, who helped hold Shell accountable for an oil spill in Nigeria. 

“While the many challenges before us can feel daunting, and at times make us lose faith, these seven leaders give us a reason for hope and remind us of what can be accomplished in the face of adversity,” said Jennifer Goldman Wallis, vice-president of the Goldman Environmental Foundation.

Passenger with no flight experience safely lands plane

Darren Harrison had no prior aviation experience, but when the pilot of the single-engine plane in which he was travelling had a medical issue, he leaped out of his seat and assumed control of the plane. Harrison returned to Florida in a Cessna 208 last Tuesday after a fishing excursion to the Bahamas. The jet fell into a nosedive when the pilot reported he wasn't feeling well and slumped down.

Harrison moved the pilot out of the way and contacted air traffic control to explain the situation. The controllers guided Harrison into a gradual descent to Palm Beach International Airport. "I was pretty calm and collected the whole time because I knew it was a life or death situation," Harrison said. To the relief of everyone, Harrison safely landed the plane, and controllers instructed him on how to use the brakes. Grateful to be back on land, Harrison said he thanked everyone for helping him and then "said the biggest prayer I've ever said in my life."

MacKenzie Scott makes historic donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters

MacKenzie Scott has just given Big Brothers Big Sisters of America a huge boost.

The organisation announced that the wealthy donor has donated $122.6 million, the largest single donation in Big Brothers Big Sisters' 118-year history.

The significant gift will support an organisation that has been creating one-on-one relationships between children and adult mentors for more than a century across the country. The goal is to help youngsters reach their full potential by building long-term, constructive relationships with them.

The Australian election put the climate in the spotlight

What last weekend’s Australian election means for global emissions remains to be seen. But this was the climate election many had hoped for. A surge in support for politicians pledging climate action showed that global heating was at the forefront of people’s minds when they went to the polls.

In the end, Scott Morrison, a prime minister who has mocked the seriousness of the climate crisis (and once brandished a lump of coal in parliament, telling MPs not to be afraid of it) was rejected. Last week Australia was found to have the highest coal emissions per person of any developed country.

Election victor Anthony Albanese vowed to be a climate leader. David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “Australian voters have made the call for urgent climate action, and now it’s time for the new parliament to roll up its sleeves and get on with the job.”

Five nature recovery projects launched in England

 England will acquire a new "mega wildlife reserve." This week, it was announced that the Somerset property would be one of England's five nature recovery efforts.

The targeted properties are similar in size to England's 219 existing national nature reserves and are located in the West Midlands, Peak District, Cambridge, Norfolk, and Somerset.

A total of £2.5 million has been set aside to restore landscapes and provide natural solutions to cut carbon emissions and manage flood risk.