And Now for Some Good News

My Zaadz friend Geri is the compassionate soul behind the Good News Network, for which I am grateful. What follows are her top ten good news stories from last week.

Top Ten Good News of the Week (July 29-Aug 4)
Written by geri
Saturday, 05 August 2006

Here are the Top Ten Good News Stories of the Week, published every weekend . . .

1) Activists Score McVictory, Protecting Amazon w/ Purchasing Power Enormous consumer pressure from thousands of emails and letters tipped the policy at the European headquarters of McDonald's and in an historic deal to slow the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, McDonald's has agreed to stop selling chicken fed on soya grown on newly stripped lands. (Earth)

2) India Posts New Ban on Child Labor - "In a determined bid to curb the exploitation of children," the government of India will prohibit the employment of kids as servants in homes, and in businesses, including factories, shops, restaurants, and hotels beginning October 10. (Civics)

3) Wal-Mart Boosts Organic Cotton - Though wearing cotton seems like a natural way to live, the growing of cotton is an environmentally destructive industry using more pesticides and fertilizers than any other crop harvested. Now, Wal-Mart's entry into the organic cotton market gives green farmers a big lift... (Business)

4) Grad Students Invent Cars That Keep Going . . . and Going - 50 college students from 21 Universities around the world have converged on MIT for an 8-week Vehicle Design Summit. The goal? To invent 5 different kinds of cars that can drive from Boston to Seattle without having to stop -- even once -- for fuel! The teams will not compete, but collaborate, and share their innovation with the world, for all our benefit. (Science)

5) Homeless Man Returns $21,000, Town Rallies to Reward him With $4,000 and Job Lead A homeless man found $21,000 in US Savings Bonds in a dumpster and turned them in to find the rightful owner. He was rewarded with $100, but the community didn't think that was nearly enough to commend his good deed. Their outpouring of generosity demonstrates honesty does pay. (Inspired!)

6) Solar-Power Trash Compactors on Boston Streets Save Money, Cut Litter - The mayor of Boston is cutting down on city litter with new solar-powered trash compactors on the streets. They collect the maximum trash with minimum effort. Another "good government" idea that proves thinking green means more green in your pocketbook. (Civics)

7) Chocolate Could Contribute to New Source of Renewable Energy - UK scientists have found a way to extract hydrogen from confectionary waste – a process that could lead to food factories using their own product waste to generate energy for the manufacturing process. (Earth)

8) GM Unveils New, Green Assembly Plant - The new GM auto plant in Michigan was unveiled as the "most environmentally-friendly auto plant" in the world. It implements lots of green innovations like... (Business)

9) Democratic Republic of Congo Votes, First Time in 40 Years - "Many people walked miles to get to the polling stations, and some queued overnight, waiting for them to open. " And, although many people are hungry and weary from a long civil war, voter Donatien Kalinga "said his heart was 'full of joy' at the prospect of voting for the first time." (Civics)

10) Listening to Mozart Heals Elephant's Depression - When zoo keepers realized that classical music seemed to help Suma, the elephant, cope with the grief brought on by a mate's death, they installed a stereo and showered the pachyderm with the healing vibes of Bach, Vivaldi, and her favorite, Mozart. (Recreation)

For a Daily Dose of News to Enthuse -- good news and inspiring stories since 1997 -- Visit the Good News Network, Geri Weis-Corbley, Editor/Publisher (c)2006

Good News Network Geri Zaadz Top 10 Good News Stories