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Positive News Thursday

  • Editor OGN Daily
  • Dec 29, 2022
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jan 14, 2023

Ensuring the day gets off to a positive start with a global round up of good news nuggets.


Ministry of Silly Walks

Fitting regular walks into your daily routine can be a great way to get some active minutes into your day, but what if you make those walks as inefficient as possible? A new study by sports science researchers at Arizona State University has explored this idea via a pair of gaits exhibited in a famous Monty Python sketch, and found that by adopting this kind of ridiculous walking style for just 11 minutes a day, adults can reach their physical activity targets and lower their risk of mortality. If you need reminding what the walk looks like - or just fancy a giggle - here's the original sketch.

Lorna Mahlock becomes two-star general
Credit: Marine Corps
Making History

Lorna Mahlock, deputy director of cybersecurity for combat support at the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Maryland, is making history as the first Black woman who will serve as a two-star general in the US Marine Corps. In 2018, she became the first Black woman to achieve the rank of brigadier general; now she has been confirmed as major general. Born in Jamaica, she immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, in 1985, enlisted in the Corps three months later, and received her commission in December 1991.


Accounting for Nature

Nature is a key stakeholder in our planet’s future, yet it has no voice. Researchers want to change this by giving nature a mandatory line in financial reports. A new paper by accounting professors at Alliance Manchester Business School and Bocconi University, Milan, calls for businesses to recognise how nature is affected by their operations. The report recommends completely rethinking corporate governance, accounting and auditing so nature can be accounted for. COP15’s landmark biodiversity deal is a promising step in the right direction for protecting our lands and seas. This could provide a practical way for businesses to join in putting the plans into action. The report says that “Such a system would empower accountants to become one of the biggest advocates and drivers for biodiversity safeguarding, repair and revival. Accounting and accountants can save the world.”


Hourglass from the 1939 movie Wizard of Oz
Credit: Heritage Auctions
Movie Paraphernalia

Midway through The Wizard of Oz (1939), flying monkeys capture Dorothy (Judy Garland) and take her back to the castle of the Wicked Witch of the West (Magaret Hamilton). The green-skinned antagonist holds up a gargoyle-adorned hourglass and screeches: ”You see that? That’s how much longer you’ve got to be alive! And it isn’t long, my pretty! it isn’t long! I can’t wait forever to get those shoes!" That hourglass just sold at auction for $495,000.

Major US Shift

2022 has seen a major shift in US energy. Households installed record amounts of rooftop solar, utilities finally stopped trying to slow down the energy transition and started spending money on transmission instead; and wind, sun and water generated more electricity than either coal or nuclear. Something they said would never come has come to pass: clean now beats coal, and gas is next, reports Scientific American.


Electric Progress

Electric vehicle sales topped 10 million in 2022, up from 6.6 million last year, reports CleanTechnica; and overall spending on clean transport worldwide exceeded $450 billion. There was a 38 percent increase in global battery manufacturing capacity, batteries were found to last far longer than previously predicted, and more recycling capacity came online than there was battery scrap available, says Bloomberg.

"Curiosity is the essence of human existence." Eugene Cernan

On this Day

29 December 1937: With the enactment of a new constitution, the Irish Free State became known as Ireland.






Mood Booster

This John West salmon "bear fight" ad became an award winner and a viral hit.



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