Good Friday News

Editor OGN Daily
Apr 18
3 min read

Ensuring it really is a Good Friday with today's global round up of good news.

Sea turtle swimming in clear ocean water — New analysis shows that sea turtles are thriving

Conservation Success

Sea turtles have long been used as symbols of environmental destruction – their images with plastic bags or straws in their noses have become common in environmental reports. But contrary to what many believe, new research shows that these marine reptiles are actually increasing in numbers in many places around the world, reports Bloomberg. Conservation measures since the 1970s have transformed humans from hunters to protectors of these marine reptiles. Professor Graeme Hays from Deakin University in Melbourne, together with other researchers, has compiled 61 datasets from nesting sites globally. The results show a positive trend: 28 sites show increasing populations, while only five show declines.

Biological Signature

Astronomers have found signs of biological activity on a planet 124 light years from Earth, in what they call the strongest evidence yet of extraterrestrial life. Scientists detected specific organic molecules in the atmosphere of K2-18b. On Earth such molecules are only produced by living organisms. The astronomers stopped short of claiming definitive evidence of biological activity but they said the new findings were compelling, as no known non-biological process could account for such a large quantity of organic molecules. "Given everything we know about this planet, a world with an ocean that is teeming with life is the scenario that best fits the data," reports the FT.

Best friends Pat DeReamer, right, and Mary Wheaton-Kroger, left, in 2005 — Mary (left) and Pat in 2005

Many Happy Returns

Two former school friends in the US have been exchanging the same birthday card since 1944. Mary Kroger and Pat DeReamer were 14 when they began swapping the card, although "neither one of us can remember who started it", DeReamer told The Washington Post. The card features a cartoon dog and the message: "Here's wishing you a BIRTHDAY that really is COLOSSAL / 'Cause it'll be a long, long time before YOU'RE an old fossil!" Both women are now in their mid-90s.

Global South

A new report by RMI shows that countries in the Global South – which includes Latin America, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia – are increasing their share of electricity from solar and wind power twice as fast as countries in the Global North. Investment patterns for electricity have changed dramatically. In 2024, investments in clean energy sources exceeded fossil fuels by seven times in the Global South, compared to an even split just ten years earlier. In fact, one-fifth of countries in the Global South have already surpassed wealthy nations in key statistics on solar and wind power usage or electrification.

Clean Energy's Share of World's Electricity Reaches 41 Percent

Crow standing on a rock beside the Grand Canyon — Even smarter than we thought

Geometric Intuition

Regardless of how you feel about crows, there’s one thing we can all agree on: They’re super smart. In fact, a new study reveals that they may even be star students in geometry class. Researchers found that much like humans, crows can identify shapes that exhibit geometric regularity and recognize those that do not. It’s the first time a nonhuman species has been shown to have this geometric intuition, according to co-author Andreas Nieder, a cognitive neurobiologist at Germany’s University of Tübingen.

Urban Forestry

A total of 210 cities have been awarded Tree Cities of the World status during the past year for their leading work in urban forestry. To qualify, cities must meet five criteria: have clear responsibility for tree care, set official tree management rules, update an inventory of local trees, have a dedicated tree planting budget, and hold an annual tree celebration event with the community. “Trees offer immense benefits for our health and wellbeing, and are one of our best nature-based solutions [for] adapting our cities to climate change,” said Kate Sheldon, CEO at the Trees for Cities charity. “Trees, and their champions, deserve to be celebrated.” Tree Cities of the World was co-founded in 2019 by The Arbor Day Foundation (a non-profit dedicated to planting trees) and the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

“We take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” Cynthia Ozick

On This Day

18 April 1956: Abandoning her Hollywood career, American actress Grace Kelly wed Rainier III, prince de Monaco, in a civil ceremony; an opulent religious ceremony took place the following day.