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| That's a Happy Koala - find out why below |
Good News for Animals
· The Great Koala National Park has been declared by the NSW State Government. It will span 476,000 hectares, protect around 12,000 koalas and more than 100 other threatened species. Logging within the proposed park boundary has been stopped and a $146 million package has been announced to support its creation and the affected communities.
An End to Bullfighting and Cockfighting in Colombia
· Colombia has banned bullfighting, cockfighting and sundry other forms of animal cruelty which involve animal combat or distress in the name of entertainment. There is a three year transition period to enable able those who depend on such activities to find alternative employment
"Bloodless" Bullfighting for Mexico
· In December 2024, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum amended Mexico’s Constitution to include animal welfare protections making it the 10th country do so. Although these reforms prohibit animal mistreatment and ensure their protection, care, and conservation and empower the federal government to legislate on animal protection, in practice the laws themselves are still evolving.
While some states have banned bullfighting altogether, Mexico City which has country's largest bullring -even larger than those in Spain, passed legislation in March 2025 making "violent bullfighting" - that is, using swords, spears, or other sharp instruments, illegal.
Bulls may not be killed, inside or outside the ring, though “bullfighting without violence” is still allowed. Bulls’ horns must also be covered to prevent injury to matadors and bulls may only be in the ring for a short time - around 15 - 30 minutes.
This preserves the cultural spectacle minus some of the crueller aspects. Other countries such as Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Tanzania,* parts of Bolovia , California and Portugal already do this.
*(Tanzania has bullfighting due to its Portuguese colonial heritage)
Marine Species
Mexico (July 2025) has also banned the use of whales, dolphins, sealions and other marine species in shows, commercial entertainment and captive breeding other than for conservation purposes.
For the second season in a row, Icelandic Whaling company Hvalur hf, - the only company with a licence to hunt Fin Whales, has elected not to do so this year, citing falling demand -especially from Japan, and higher costs. Great news for Fin Whales which are listed as Vulnerable according to the UN Redlist. Whether this will also apply to Minke Whales is unclear. Although the conservation status of Minke whales is of less concern, there are nevertheless animal welfare issues around hunting them.
Poland Bans Fur Farming
Poland, which has been one of the biggest producers of farmed fur outside China, has voted to end this by 2033, with compensation for those who choose to give up by 2030. This brings Poland into line with some 20 other European countries and perhaps reflects a cultural shift which is evidenced by declining sales. Since 2015, the industry which used to produce around 10 million pelts a year now only produces around 1.8 million.
An End to Greyhound Racing in the USA
On August 22, 2025, a bipartisan coalition in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Greyhound Protection Act, a federal bill to permanently ban greyhound racing across the United States. The legislation not only criminalises the operation of greyhound racetracks nationwide but also prohibits gambling on live and simulcast greyhound races, as well as the export of American greyhounds for racing abroad.
A number of other countries—including the UK, New Zealand, Argentina (2016), Canada, South Africa, Spain (2012), Macau (2018), and two Australian states—the ACT have already banned it, with Tasmania has passed legislation to end it by 2029, despite objection by those in that industry. Countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Hong Kong, and Vietnam are using track closures or increasing restrictions to phase out the sport. While animal welfare is the most cited reason, falling attendance and declining revenues are also factors.
Going to the Dogs in Turkey*
Here’s a nice story from Turkey. When you put your plastic bottles into a Reverse Vending Machine in Istanbul—which is home to an estimated 150,000 stray cats and dogs—a handful of kibbled pet food is dispensed into a bowl for the animals. Some advanced machines also collect and purify leftover water from bottles and deliver that too.
These solar-powered machines are placed in parks, busy urban areas, and public spaces, operating at no cost to the city. People can immediately see what even a small act of recycling can achieve. Hats off to inventor Engin Girgin, who wanted to show that “people can do good deeds with things they would normally throw away.”
*Thanks to FACT 27 for alerting me to many of these, especially those marked with an asterisk. He/she has a lot more on Facebook if you need cheering up.
Shelter
Millionaire Builds 100 tiny Homes
- Tech entrepreneur and
millionaire Marcel LeBrun has built 99 tiny homes to combat homelessness in his
community. LeBrun did more than donate money. He acquired land, worked with
local officials and builders and created a village of fully equipped tiny
homes—each with heating, electricity, and basic amenities. His initiative is designed to offer long-term stability, not just
temporary shelter.
- Dark Knight of several "Batman" movies, Christian Bale, together with his wife and UCLA physician Dr. Eric Esrailian, are building a village of 12 homes and 2 studio apartments arranged around a community centre, so that siblings who enter foster care won’t end up being separated. It fullfils a dream the actor has had for many years and is the fruit of many years of research.
Shipping Container Communities
- In Los Angeles Shipping Containers have been converted into 232 tiny apartments for the homeless. Insulated and connected by corridors, each unit has a bed, a microwave, a television, a mini fridge and a bathroom. According to one resident, “It’s just like being at a ‘Best Western’ only smaller.”
Sleep Pods
- A team of designers in The City of Ulm in Germany has created ‘Ulmer Nests’—compact sleep pods for rough sleepers during winter. As reported by Trendy Tiny Homes, each pod has solar panels for lighting and ventilation, sensors to monitor temperature, humidity and CO2 levels, emergency buzzers and secure locks for safety.
The Greening
- Treebate: In a bid to increase its tree canopy, the Western Australian Government is offering residents a rebate of up to $150 for buying a native tree from a local nursery. A proof of planting photo and receipt are required to claim and only one tree per person will be refunded.
- Take a look at the marvellous
way Paris has transformed the square in front of its City Hall here.
- Being one of the most densely populated areas in Europe, Paris residents have only a tiny amount of green pace per person. During its 2003 heatwave, 15,000 people lost their lives due to heat stress. Since then it has begun its OASIS School Yard Program which is transforming the city's many school grounds into green spaces for vulnerable people including children, the elderly,
mothers with babies and those in poor health. So
far the pilot program has involved 10 schools with a further 75 to
follow, but it will eventually be extended to all of its thousands of
schools.
Paving now gives way to trees, orchards and vegetable gardens and rainwater is being used both for cooling and watering. Solar panels provide additional air conditioning. The community is invited in to help with the gardening too, but a city guard is always present to ensure everyone's safety.
Food and Food Waste
- Prison Farms in Western Australia have had such a bumper crop this year that as well as feeding prisoners in correctional facilities around the state, they have been able to donate more than 4 tonnes of food to local food banks. Prisoners also learn vocational skills in the process.
Japan
· Many Japanese supermarkets (e.g., Life, Ogino, Fresco) routinely offer 20–50% discounts on ready-to-eat meals like sushi and bento boxes after 7 or 8 PM to reduce food waste. *
· Bulk and low-packaging options: Some Japanese stores, especially co-ops and eco-conscious chains, offer bulk bins and minimal packaging, though this is not yet widespread.
· Mobile grocery services for the elderly: In rural areas, mobile grocery trucks and convenience stores deliver food to elderly residents, especially in depopulated towns.
Singapore
· With food waste accounting for 11% of its waste, Singapore has food rescue Apps like Yindii and Just Dabao that allow users to purchase surplus food from restaurants and bakeries at discounted prices. Through Yindi you can also get a surprise bag at the end of the day for much less.
Health, Help and Hygiene
United Kingdom
· In the UK, East Ayrshire Churches Homeless Action (EACHA),* runs a mobile barber’s shop which offers free haircuts and wellbeing support to people experiencing homelessness, isolation, or financial hardship. The van visits 20 communities a month and has a barista coffee station as well as trained staff who are able to refer people to support services.
· Also in the UK Nottingham hosts a volunteer barber who offers free haircuts every fortnight. Since 2019, he’s completed over 1,000 haircuts, helping restore confidence and dignity to people rebuilding their lives.
· Cut and Connect (Scotland): Mobile barber van offering free haircuts and wellbeing support.
· Crisis at Christmas Mobile Units: Provide food, clothing, and medical care during winter months.
Australia
· Orange Sky: Offers free mobile laundry and showers, plus conversation. Now active in over 80 locations
· Hobart’s Mobile Health Hub: Delivers medical care, mental health support, and referrals to people experiencing homelessness.
·
Every state in Australia
has mobile breast screening services for those who cannot easily attend clinics. These are
mainly for women between 50 and 70, but also for others at risk. Since 1991 regular breast screening and hence early
detection, has enabled women’s breast cancer deaths to be halved.
· Men’s Health hasn’t been neglected either. There are purpose-built prostate cancer “buses” -mobile health vans run by the Australian Prostate Centre for community education and checks.that travel to regional and rural communities. With prostrate cancer now responsible for more deaths than breast cancer in women it is hoped that getting the message out will encourage more men to get checked early and bring those numbers down too.
· “It’s a Bloke Thing” Education Roadshow: This is a not-for-profit program that travels through rural, regional, remote parts of Australia (e.g. NT, QLD, NSW). It goes to events such as agricultural shows, machinery field days and workplaces where men actually gather, bringing information, raising awareness and encouraging men to get checked. This is more about general health, though there is some overlap with the Prostrate Education Program.
France- Médecins du Monde Mobile Clinics: Offer healthcare to migrants and unhoused people in Paris and Marseille.
- La Bulle Mobile Shower Units: Provide hygiene services with privacy and warmth.
India
- Mobile Eye Clinics: Vans equipped with ophthalmology tools travel to rural villages.
- Smile on Wheels: A nationwide fleet of mobile hospitals serving remote communities.
United States
- Street Medicine Teams: In cities like Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Boston, doctors and nurses provide care directly on the streets.
- ShowerUp (Nashville, Chicago, etc.): Mobile shower units with hygiene kits and compassionate volunteers.
- Project Homeless Connect Vans: Offer dental care, haircuts, and legal aid in San Francisco and Denver.
South Africa
- Health on Wheels: Mobile clinics offering HIV testing, maternal care, and chronic disease management in remote areas.
Mongolia
- Mobile Clinics: Deliver healthcare to nomadic populations across vast rural regions.
Libraries
- Both Australia and the UK have mobile libraries which bring books to rural areas and the housebound.
- Libraries in Finland now offer a whole range of things including tools, musical instruments, sporting equipment, 3D printers, board games, sewing machines, and food processors. For some discussion on how one library got started, click here.
- According to ChatGPT, Toronto, Washington, Portland, Bisbee (Arizona), and others have similar programs—usually focused on sharing garden tools and home improvement gear. My son tells me the Canberra Library also has tools and 3D printers available.
- The Oakland Tool Lending Library (USA) is one of many case studies cited in discussions of tool library potential. The linked article offers suggestions on getting started and includes mention of peer-to-peer lending using websites when physical storage isn’t available.
Energy and Transport
Australia
- Tasmania is trialling 4 electric buses in Hobart that run on locally produced green hydrogen. The hydrogen is generated at Metro’s Mornington depot using Tasmania’s wind and hydro electricity. These buses emit only water vapour—no CO₂, particulates, or toxic fumes—and produce very little noise. Metro Tasmania is also running a battery electric trial in Launceston.
- As of July 1, 2025, all new buses in Victoria (Australia) in its 4,500-bus fleet will be Zero Emissions. A trial involving 52 such buses is currently in progress. Two run on locally produced hydrogen, the rest are battery electric and charged from the grid. All trial buses are made in Australia. Victoria is not yet fully powered by renewables, but that will change.
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| Back End of a Melbourne Bus – Not sure whose photo this is – Thanks anyway. |
- German company Energyminer has produced a microhydro generator* that operates just below the surface of rivers. Measuring 3m × 2.4m × 1.4m, the Energyfish can run 24/7. Each unit generates an average of 1.8 KW, with a peak of 8 KW. It requires a minimum flow rate of 1 m/s and streams at least 1 metre deep. Several units would be needed for continuous household power, but they’re less weather-dependent.
-
Not quite there yet, but Japan is developing
micro tidal generators*
to mount in seawalls. These would generate enough power to operate the seawalls during tsunamis, even if grid power is lost.
When not needed for defence, they can produce up to 1000 kWh for local use.
Saw this display in a Hobart shop window. I'd mention the shop because they deserve it, but there are such weird people around—far too interested in what goes on in other people's bedrooms, change rooms, and bathrooms, I wouldn't want to cause them grief.
*Thanks to FACT 27 for alerting me to many of these, especially those marked with an asterisk. He/she has a lot more on Facebook if you need cheering up.
Thank you to Microsoft Copilot for information and sorting out the formatting errors.
Stoppress: Ireland has just closed its last coal fired power station, though it will remain on oil fired standby in the event of a power failure. This makes it the 15th European country to do so. (I first heard about this on a new DW Channel about - coincidentally - Good News. Tried to find it to link today, but it doesn't come up when I put it in the search bar. Trust me, we need all the good news we can get!
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