Today’s Solutions: January 15, 2025

Good Governance

What does good governance look like? In this good news section, we share international examples of good governance, from efforts directed at the protection of civil rights to initiatives aimed at the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment.

Olympic flag at sunset

Olympic Committee issues more inclusive guidelines on trans athletes

Laurel Hubbard made history as the first transgender athlete to compete in the Olympics this summer, and following this milestone, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new framework supporting trans athletes. The new guidance comes after two years of consultation with 250 Read More...

Teens sit in circle during class discussion

7 Reasons to sign your teen up for Model UN

Following the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow, your child may be asking some questions about what exactly the UN is and how they can get involved in advocating for a better world through diplomacy. Fortunately, Model UN (MUN) programs in school are a perfect place for young adults to get Read More...

Youth activists march at COP26 climate conference in Glasgow

7 takeaways from COP26

The 26th annual United Nations climate change summit has officially come to a close. We shared a few updates along the way about coal pledges, carbon-neutral countries, and Indigenous forest protection, but now that COP26 is wrapped up, let’s take a broader look at what the summit Read More...

Wetland in the Everglades with waterlilies

Florida rejects plan to drill oil well in ecologically sensitive Everglades

From rising sea levels to more frequent and powerful hurricanes, Florida is highly threatened by climate change. That’s why it makes a lot of sense that state environmental regulators have recently rejected a plan to drill for oil in the Everglades. The Florida Department of Environmental Read More...

Lisbon city at dusk

It is now illegal for employers in this country to contact workers after hours

Implementing employment policies that encourage a healthier work-life balance for employees can go a long way in benefiting both staff and employers. With that in mind, Portugal’s government has recently approved a set of new labor laws that protect employees’ working conditions. One of the Read More...

New Navy ship named after gay

New Navy ship named after gay rights leader Harvey Milk

Harvey Milk was one of the first openly gay candidates elected to public office, but before he served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978, he was forced out of the Navy for his sexual orientation. Milk served in the Navy for four years, but was forced to resign because he was gay. Read More...

5 Optimistic predictions about

5 Optimistic predictions about the COP26 climate conference

The stakes (and tensions) are high this week as the COP26 climate summit kicks off in Glasgow. Big issues, like renewable energy and biodiversity, are being discussed on a global scale, and while there are huge issues to tackle, there are also reasons to be optimistic. Just the fact that world Read More...

Cabbage, broccoli, zucchini, and leeks

Jersey City program expands access to local vertical farms

Vertical farms have been praised for their adaptability in dense spaces as well as low resource use. Another advantage is that they offer locally-grown produce to consumers that live miles away from traditional farmlands. In Jersey City, an innovative scheme is combining these different benefits of Read More...

New Zealand swears in first In

New Zealand swears in first Indigenous Māori Governor-general

Last week, Dame Cindy Kiro was formally sworn in as New Zealand’s first Indigenous Māori woman to be named Governor-general. The Māori peoples account for around 17 percent of New Zealand’s population but are still socially and economically disadvantaged. They continue to be Read More...

Éléonore Laloux changes live

Éléonore Laloux changes lives as first French public official with Down syndrome

In Arras, France, a city council member is making history as the city’s public official in charge of inclusion and happiness. Éléonore Laloux is the first and only person with Down syndrome to be elected to public office in the country. Laloux was recently awarded membership in the National Read More...