Ensuring May gets off to a sunny start with today's collection of good news nuggets.
Global Tiger Conservation
A conservation conference in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, opened by Her Majesty The Queen of Bhutan, has concluded on a high note, marking a historic moment for global conservation efforts. The Tiger Conservation Coalition will invest $1 billion to conserve tigers and tiger landscapes over the next ten years. In addition to securing and increasing the global tiger population, these funds will help expand tiger range, increasing overall biodiversity for the benefit of the local communities that share space with the species.
NASA Missions
The space agency is full speed ahead with six new aircraft-driven missions to study our changing planet. The projects will focus on arctic coastal change, weather created by wildfires, urban air pollution, impacts of changing weather patterns on landscapes, retreating glaciers, and agriculture. "A set of six very different airborne campaigns will give us some really targeted insights to help everything from how we understand how the Earth works to how we put that science into action for people."
Lazy Gardeners Rejoice
A recent scientific study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment demonstrates that a small change in lawn maintenance habits can have a significant impact on butterfly populations, providing hope for conservation efforts and helpful information for gardeners who want to help local wildlife. Yes, that’s right, No Mow May begins today and Dr. Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation and a co-author of the study highlights the findings’ significance: “This study proves, for the first time, that allowing a patch of grass to grow long will attract more butterflies into your garden.”
Diolch yn Fawr Iawn
Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have had two new Welsh trains named after their home cities. The actors, who took over Wrexham Football Club in 2021, were honoured in recognition of the "positive work" and the impact the owners have had in the area, including helping local businesses. Since Canadian-born actor Reynolds and US star McElhenney, both 47, bought the then National League club three years ago, the team has been promoted twice in succession. The trains are called the Vancouver Red Dragon and the Philadelphia Robin - it's the Welsh way of saying diolch yn fawr iawn (thank you very much).
Plug In Progress
Recent data from the China Passenger Car Association shows that electric vehicles constituted 50.39 percent of vehicle sales over the first 14 days in April, surpassing internal combustion engine vehicles for the first time. Elsewhere, there are no signs of an electric vehicle slowdown. Global EV sales grew 25 percent in the first three months of this year, and the IEA is saying total sales for the year are on track for around 17 million. 'Rather than tapering off, the global EV revolution appears to be gearing up for a new phase of growth.'
Huge Win in Australia
A Queensland cattle station the size of Yosemite National Park has been acquired for conservation after an anonymous donation of A$21 million. The 352,000 hectare (1,400 square miles) property contains 34 ecosystems and is home to the endangered night parrot and vulnerable yellow-footed rock-wallaby.
Landmark Victory
Residents of La Oroya, Peru, known as one of the most polluted cities on Earth, have won a landmark victory from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which has ruled that Peru was responsible for the physical and mental harm that a metallurgical facility’s pollution inflicted on 80 people, stating that citizens had a 'right to a healthy environment'. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights, based in Costa Rica, ordered the government of Peru to provide free medical care to the victims and to compensate each individual upwards of $30,000 each, which includes medical costs and amounts for pain and suffering, depending on each person’s specific circumstances. Representatives of the deceased victims will receive $65,000 each.
"Each and every one of you has the power, the will, and the capacity to make a difference in the world in which you live." Harry Belafonte
On This Day
1 May 1840: The world's first postage stamp was released in England; it was created by Sir Rowland Hill and became known as the Penny Black.
Poor old dads. No prefix is more maligned. Here's some of the funnier 'Dad jokes' OGN has spotted. Chuckle-worthy...
Scientists show carbon-neutral biofuels can now compete with petroleum, as well as solve the food vs. fuel dilemma. Good progress...
Mood Booster
First official trailer for Disney's new movie, Mufasa: The Lion King.