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There was so much good that happened this year.
Not the overwhelming sentiment you feel right now? That’s fair. There were also a lot of terrible things that happened in 2025.
Those terrible things made plenty of headlines, but the good that happened... not so much. But it’s true: 2025 was not all bad.
Today, we’re looking back at some of the year’s best news and stories of progress for the environment, health, and the LGBTQ+ community.
This isn’t meant to discount the truly heartbreaking things that happened this year — but to reflect on the year with hope, too. So that as we enter the new year, we can continue to make progress and make more good news happen — because we’re gonna need it!
ENVIRONMENT
The Ocean Cleanup announced it can clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in five years
Also focused on preventing new plastic from reaching the ocean in the first place, the organization’s new-and-improved ocean cleanup technology now measures about 1.5 miles in length, and it cleans up an area of the ocean the size of a football field every five seconds.
An Indigenous-designed mural that doubles as a giant solar power generator broke a Guinness World Record
Combining public art and solar power, the SunRise Building, an apartment complex in Alberta, Canada became the title holder of the Guinness World Record for the largest solar panel mural on Earth.
A new UN report found that solar energy is now 41% cheaper than fossil fuels: ‘The sun is rising on a clean energy age’
Two new United Nations reports found that renewable energy had officially reached a “positive tipping point” — a huge milestone in the clean energy transition.
Boston became the first US city to plant green roofs on bus stops: ‘Would amount to 17 acres of green space’
Green roofs offset the heat-island effect in urban areas devoid of trees, provide direct shade at bus shelters, help reduce flooding, improve the biodiversity of native pollinators, and provide more beauty on a daily commute.
Scientists developed a new ‘bamboo bioplastic’ that outperforms traditional plastic and breaks down in just 50 days
Made with fossil fuels, oil-based plastics not only have a large environmental footprint in their assembly, but also take decades — or even centuries — to decompose once thrown out.
The US approved a twice-yearly injection for HIV prevention
Lenacapavir is an injectable drug that offers long-lasting protection against HIV infection. Administered once every six months, this new treatment marks a major advancement in expanding prevention options for people at risk of HIV infection.
A federal judge blocked Texas A&M’s drag ban so its annual ‘Draggieland’ pageant could go on as planned
The students said that while their fight isn’t over, they were overjoyed by the decision and vowed to share that joy by putting on the best show possible.
Activists unfurled the ‘largest ever’ trans pride flag at Yosemite National Park
The 55-by-35-foot flag was hung by the group “Trans Is Natural,” a coalition of LGBTQ+ and ally climbers, in response to the Trump administration’s actions against transgender individuals.
A farmer rescued ‘gay sheep’ and sells their wool to support LGBTQ+ charities
Roughly 10% of all male sheep exhibit homosexual tendencies. On a farm, rams that don’t mate with female sheep are considered useless and often end up in slaughterhouses — shepherd Michael Stücke prevents that.
A trans vs. cisgender rugby match was held to protest athlete bans through friendly competition: ‘We want you on our team’
The “Ruck You” match was organized by pro rugby player Sasha Acheson, who wanted to protest World Rugby's decision to ban trans women from competition.
LGBTQ+ advocates sold ‘petty’ Pride merch to protest Utah’s flag ban and support community members
Leaders and LGBTQ+ communities alike have come together to creatively protest the law, including Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, who introduced three new “official” city flags that incorporate the existing Salt Lake City flag design into new iterations for LGBTQ+ pride, trans pride, and Juneteenth.
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