Goodnewspaper: Issue 02

Page 1

NEWSPAPER @GOODGOODGOODCO

CELEBRATE GOOD NEWS. BECOME GOOD NEWS.

ISSUE 02


Welcome to the Goodnewspaper. You are now a part of a global community that celebrates the people, ideas and movements that are changing the world for the better and helps others do the same. It’s when times are hardest that it’s most important that we shine a light on good news. Not cheesy stuff. Hope — real hope — no matter how messy it may be. There’s a lot of good in the world that needs to be celebrated. And we need to be a part of it.


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H E L LO H E L LO !

I Hope This Issue Leaves You Uncomfortable Over the last few months I’ve been thinking a lot

WHO MAKES THE G O O D N E W S PA P E R ? Publisher Branden Harvey - @brandenharvey Lead Strategist Katie Lentile - @katielentile

about this quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. in his Letter from Birmingham Jail: “I must confess that over

Senior Art Director Judson Collier - @judsoncollier

the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regret-

Senior Editor Tyler Huckabee - @tylerhuckabee

table conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s

Creative Strategist and Copy Editor Sammi Harvey - @sammiharveyco

Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice; who

Podcast Producer Chad Michael Snavely - @chad_michael

prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice.”

Social and Communications Manager Kristi Karrenbrock

To King, the biggest obstacle in the way of liberty wasn’t overt racism or direct opposition, but the overwhelming

Photography Support Stocksy United - @stocksyunited

number of people just comfortably standing idly by. It would be easy for a publication called the Goodnews-

Centerfold Poster Featured Artist Maia Boakye - @maiaboakye

paper to be read, almost exclusively, by people who are privileged enough to unplug from bad news — to be able

Comic Artists Brad Montague - @thebradmontague Christine Mi - @miologie

to choose to disconnect from the heartbreak, oppression, and injustice in the world. When I set out to create the Goodnewspaper, that was the last thing I wanted.

•••••••••••••••••

I wanted to create a tool for people to be awakened to the problems around them but leave people feeling equipped rather than overwhelmed. My goal was for people to be inspired by the “helpers” in the world and then to be

injustices in her home country. But she decided to break from

motivated to take action themselves. Ultimately, the goal

the comforts of her own life and do something for the people of

was to share stories of people who gave up a life of comfort

Iran who didn’t have the privilege of moving away. As you read this Goodnewspaper, my hope is that it’s a com-

and privilege to fill the world with more justice. This is why our centerfold poster (illustrated by the

fort to you — a reminder that today (and all throughout history),

wonderful Maia Boakye) features a quote from Mahatma

there are people working to make tomorrow better. And then

Gandhi, the well-educated Indian lawyer who returned

as you put this Goodnewspaper down, my hope is that you feel

to his country to set aside his freedoms so others could

more equipped to become uncomfortable. To give away your

have theirs.

voice, time, resources, energy, and passion for the sake of mak-

This is also why our feature story is a profile on my

ing great strides toward hope, justice, and freedom for all.

friend Firuzeh Mahmoudi, who grew up in Iran in the

Speak up. Take action. Just don’t remain comfortable.

midst of Iranian Revolution but moved away as a preteen. In her new home of San Francisco, she was fortunate enough to be able to not be directly affected by the

-BRANDEN HARVEY @BRANDENHARVEY

SPREAD GOOD NEWS Share a good news story, post an inspiring quote, or just brag about getting the second issue of the Goodnewspaper. Tag your photos of the Goodnewspaper with #goodnewspaper and @goodgoodgoodco.

Learn more about the Goodnewspaper and Good Good Good at goodgoodgood.co Update your subscription and mailing address at goodgoodgood.co/update Keep up with more good news by following us everywhere at @goodgoodgoodco Get in touch about feedback or questions at hello@goodgoodgood.co For advertising, email ads@goodgoodgood.co


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W E ’ V E G OT G O O D N E W S

The Teen Birth Rate Is at an All-Time Low

— a partnership of public and private companies that’s

The study was conducted by Hilton, which asked a

The teen birth rate has dropped to a record low in the United

working to protect New Mexico’s drinking water for the

thousand people to answer a few questions about their

States as of 2017, plummeting a full 9 percent from 2016. This

next 20 years. Investing a million dollars in a company that

own level of satisfaction with their lives. According to the

is great news, but it’s not exactly unexpected. The teen birth

controls land you don’t own is a big risk, but it’s going to

study’s findings, 53 percent of Americans who have pass-

rate has been falling for a long time in the U.S. — a full 67 per-

go a long ways towards protecting the state’s water, and it

ports are content with their lives. Just 34 percent of people

cent since 1991, in fact. Dr. Elise Berlan, a physician in the sec-

shows what’s possible when different companies work to-

who don’t have passports reported the same level of hap-

tion of adolescent medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital,

gether to solve big problems.

piness.

told CNN that it’s a “phenomenal decline.” Most studies credit

“This is a part of what we are planning to do long into

For most people who have passports, they don’t even

the future: is to restore forests, create healthy watersheds

necessarily need to be traveling to feel the perks of having

The reason this is such good news is that studies show the

so when we do have fires, they’re not as devastating,” Kath-

one. 53 percent of people who have passports (and 46 per-

overwhelming majority of teen pregnancies are accidental,

erine Yuhas, water resources manager for the Water Au-

cent of all respondents) see passports as a “badge of honor.”

which could lead to dropping out of school, delaying profes-

thority, told News Deeply. “So having the Water Fund is a

That might suggest that traveling is aspirational, and hav-

sional opportunities and immense financial burdens. As the

fantastic thing because it gives us that opportunity to make

ing a passport is a big part of feeling empowered to start

teen birth rate declines, the birth rate among women in their

that investment that otherwise we couldn’t.”

traveling and learning more about the world as soon as cir-

the increasing availability of contraception for the drop.

mid-thirties and early-forties is climbing — meaning more and

cumstances allow for it.

more people are waiting to have children until they’re finan-

So get a passport! You may not have any immediate

cially stable.

plans to put it to use, but it’ll be there when you’re ready and, apparently, it’ll help you feel a little bit better about

Most Americans Know a Gay or Lesbian Person

your life right now.

The number of Americans who say they know a gay or lesbian person is on the rise, with roughly 70 percent of Americans reporting that they have a “close friend or family member” who is attracted to the same sex. This is great news, because more close contact with gay and lesbian people is shown to increase their likelihood of acceptance.

The Gender Competition Prize Gap Is Closing

On the whole, 63 percent of Americans support same-sex

Here’s something you may not have known: historically,

marriage, but among people who have a close friend or

most professional sporting events award men much better

family member who is gay or lesbian, that number jumps

than women in terms of prize money. As recently as 2014,

to 70 percent. Among people who don’t have a close friend

the BBC found that just 30 percent of sports rewarded male

or family member who is gay or lesbian, only 43 percent

athletes more handsomely than female athletes for the

support same-sex marriage.

same sport. But when the BBC conducted the same study in

It’s worth noting that there is still a ways to go, particu-

2017, they found that just 17 percent of sports are guilty. 83

larly when it comes to transgender people. Only a little more

percent of all sports are rewarding men and women equally

than one in five Americans say they have a close friend or

for their athletic accomplishments.

family member who is transgender. That’s not very many,

This doesn’t factor in things like salary or sponsorship

but it’s more than double where things were at in 2011.

but it’s still a big step forward in a culture not known for

Public Support for Refugees Remains High

Things are moving the right direction.

promoting a lot of gender equality. 44 sports offer prize

With the furious political debate surrounding the subject

money and are open to both men and women. Of those 44,

of refugees and how their resettlements should be handled,

35 pay both genders equally. The BBC quoted Sports Min-

nobody would be surprised to learn that public support for

ister Tracey Crouch who said that “It is encouraging that

refugees had taken a beating. If you hear leaders, politi-

The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Author-

remuneration for sportswomen has improved and we are

cians and talking heads talk about the danger of refugees,

ity had a problem on their hands. As New Mexico’s larg-

seeing greater equality in professional sport. However,

you’re bound to start believing it. But a new poll found

est water authority, they were growing concerned about

there is still more work to be done to put women’s sport on

something surprising and reassuring: despite a tumultu-

the future of clean water in their state as climate change

the same footing as men’s.”

ous year in the immigration debate, the global support for

A Massive Donation Is Going to Help Keep New Mexico’s Water Clean for Decades

continues to wreak havoc on the local environment. They wanted to do something to help protect the state’s drink-

Study: Having Passports Makes You Happier

ing water, but the headwaters are located on property the

Do you have a passport? If not, you might consider becom-

Water Authority didn’t own.

ing one of the 41 percent of Americans who do. As it turns

So they did something unlikely, but very smart: they donated a million dollars to the Rio Grande Water Fund

out, people who have passports are more likely to be content with their lives, according to at least one study.

HOW TO HELP BUILD A MORE GLOBALLY MINDED COMMUNITY

refugees remains strong.

What’s this? This is the Good Bar! We believe in celebrating good and then joining in and making a difference ourselves. The Good Bar is full of recommendations from the Good Good Good community on how to take action in meaningful ways.

GO OD

BET TER

BEST

Start at home. If you don’t already have a passport, apply today. You never know when an opportunity to travel abroad & open yourself up to new experiences may come.

Donate to The Foundation for Learning and Youth Travel Education (FLYTE) which helps students bring their education to life through travel. goodnewspaper.org/2

Volunteer with a local organization that welcomes and supports immigrants and refugees. It makes a difference and it’ll help you experience other cultures.


4

W E ’ V E G OT G O O D N E W S That’s according to the Tent Foundation, an organization that helps fight for displaced people around the world. In their global survey, they found that around 3 out of every 4 people support bringing refugees into their country — numbers that have remained unchanged even as the debate around the subject of refugees has escalated. In fact, a majority of respondents in the United States said they felt they’d become even more sympathetic to the plight of refugees over the past year.

While nearly half of all respondents said Islam is more likely to encourage extremism than other religions, 2 in 3 people polled said that all refugees should be treated the same, no matter their religion. That number has actually gone up 10 percent over the last year, meaning that any support for a religious test is quickly crumbling.

“I raise my voice not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard” — Malala Yousafzai

India’s War on Human Waste Is Making a The World’s Siberian Tiger Is Bounding Back from the Brink of Extinction Big Difference The topic of human waste is not one many of us want to

There are six different subspecies of tiger currently in the

think about. It’s gross and embarrassing. And if it’s hard to

world, but when you picture a tiger in your head, you’re

read about, you can imagine how hard it is to actually live

probably picturing the Amur Tiger, also known as the Si-

in a place where defecating in public is part of your daily

berian Tiger. Siberians are the largest species of tiger, and

life, but that’s the reality for millions of people in India,

you can find them in Russia and China, but it’s not easy.

where access to toilets remains scarce. In 2014, just 42

They’ve spent the last few years on the endangered species

percent of Indians had access to proper sanitation.

list, with scientists reporting that the world’s tiger popula-

Defecating in public isn’t just unpleasant to think

tion has declined by about 97 percent over the last century.

about it, it’s unsanitary and creates real health problems

It’s hard to imagine a world without tigers, but it grew

for the country. A full quarter of Indian girls drop out of

terrifyingly close to a reality until conservationists teamed

school because there’s no place for them to go to the bath-

up to launch a massive anti-poaching effort. The Russian

room. About 600,000 people die in India every year be-

government put restrictions on logging in areas where ti-

cause of unsafe water and sanitation, and fixing the coun-

gers live, made owning a tiger part illegal, and enacted other

try’s public waste problem will go a long ways towards

measures aimed at reducing tiger-poaching (it’s estimated

reducing that number. And fortunately, that’s exactly what

that about 70 percent of tiger deaths are caused by humans).

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to do.

The goal is to boost to the global population of tigers

He’s launched a campaign called Swachh Bharat

to 6,000 by 2022. That’s a tall order because in 2010, there

(“Clean India”) that aims to completely eliminate open def-

were just about 3,200 tigers left in the world. Today, there are

ecation by 2019 by installing 75 million public toilets in

3,600. That’s an incremental increase, but once a population

the country. In the three years since Modi announced the

starts growing, things can change fast.

initiative, he’s upped the percentage of Indians with access

“There now needs to be an enormous push forward to build on

to sanitation from 42 percent to 63 percent. That’s a huge

this progress,” WWF tiger specialist Rebecca May told the Guardi-

increase that represents a better life for thousands of

an. “We need commitment and urgent action from all governments

individuals.

of ‘tiger-range’ countries [where tigers still roam in the wild], as

In 2014, just 8 percent of Indian villages were com-

well as the passion and unwavering support of the public.”

pletely free of open defecation. Today, that number is 30

It’s estimated that in 1930, there may have only been

percent. There’s a long way to go, but India’s taking the prob-

about 20 or so Amur Tigers left in the whole world. Today,

lem seriously and making serious steps to improvement.

there are closer to 500.

HOW TO PLAY A ROLE IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION GO OD

BET TER

BEST

Watch documentaries like Virunga, Blackfish, and Mission Blue on Netflix to better understand wildlife around the world and our impact on it.

Donate to organizations like the World Wildlife Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute who do a wonderful job supporting wildlife conservation. goodnewspaper.org/2

Find ways to support animals personally. Think twice about visiting zoos and aquariums. Be intentional about the meat you eat. (And even consider adopting a pet!)



FIRUZEH MAHMOUDI

Firuzeh Mahmoudi’s memories

financial crisis or a humiliating

of her childhood in Iran are very

defeat at war. But at the time of

fond. She was born in San Fran-

the revolution, Iran was a rela-

cisco, but her parents moved back

tively prosperous nation. The

to their home country when she

revolution caught much of the

was just a toddler. She remembers

world — and even any people liv-

staying in a single bedroom with

ing in Iran itself — by surprise.

her mother and sister. “It was per-

“I definitely have a distinct

fectly fine,” she says wistfully. “I

memory of being in our family

was happy and life seemed full.”

room and there were these old box

And then her voice changes just

TVs that had a wooden veneer on

a bit. “It was a bit hard,” she admits.

them,” Mahmoudi says. “And I re-

“As the revolution approached.”

member the Shah was on TV and

The

Iranian

Revolution

he was apologizing. He was the

changed Mahmoudi’s life, just like

last king of Iran. And a lot of peo-

it changed the lives of everyone in

ple thought that was the beginning

Iran, just like it changed the for-

of the end.”

tunes of a nation. But while many

Life began to change for

millions of people were caught up

Mahmoudi, from one of relative

in a swirl of oppression, destruc-

peace and contentment to one of

tion and heartache, Mahmoudi

unrest even, soon, activism. Her

had the opportunity, vision and

school got shut down (“that was

courage to make a difference for

the best!” she laughs), but slowly,

her country. It’s a difference she’s

more insidious changes started

still making today, attempting to

to take place. “Things little by

start her own revolution, fueled

little changed for the worse,” she

Eventually Mahmoudi’s mother was persuaded that it

by activism, volunteers, and an

remembers. “Promises were not

would be safest for her daughters to go back to the United

indomitable hope for and belief

kept. Human rights violations

States, where they’d been born. So at 12 years old, Mahmou-

in Iran.

and civil liberties were taken

di and her sister, crisp, blue passports in hand, boarded a

away little by little.”

plane for San Francisco. Her mother, Mahmoudi said, cried

“I have a lot of energy and stam-

FIRUZEH (ON RIGHT) AND HER FAMILY

those values all along.”

ina and persistence,” she says. “So

Mahmoudi had to start wear-

so hard she had scabs on her cheeks. “I was like, ‘Mom, we’ll

even if things are going hard, I’ll

ing a head covering or risk ar-

be back. We’ll just be gone for the summer,’” she recalls. “I

just keep at it.”

rest. People who spoke out

was telling myself that story.”

against the new regime started

The Revolution

to disappear. A neighbor who

To America

A little bit of background: The

passed out flyers was deported.

High school was difficult for a young Iranian immigrant

Iranian Revolution took place

One night, in fear, Mahmoudi,

who, initially, didn’t speak a lick of English. “I didn’t really

in 1979, when the US-supported

her mother and some friends

feel like I fit in,” she says. “I would just read at the library

Pahlavi dynasty was overthrown

dumped all their political books

during lunch so that people wouldn’t know I had no friends.”

by a broad coalition of revolu-

into the full bathtub and tore

But by the time she hit college at UC Berkeley, Mahmou-

tionaries, mostly consisting of

them to shreds, lest the govern-

di was starting to come out of her shell. She met people,

various Islamist groups and stu-

ment find out what they’d been

started hanging out and adjusted to her new country. After

dent organizations. Mohammad

reading.

she graduated and earned her master’s degree, she eventu-

Reza Shah Pahlavi was replaced

It was a dangerous situation

ally got involved in environmental advocacy, working in In-

by the Grand Ayatollah Ruhol-

for a young girl, but it’s also

dia, the Philippines and some parts of Latin America. And

lah Khomeini, and the coun-

where Mahmoudi started to un-

she might have continued doing just that for the rest of her

try voted to become an Islamic

cover her activist streak. “I re-

life, but then something happened back in her home in Iran.

Republic, reversing its recent,

member late elementary school,

The Iranian uprising of 2009 was a watershed moment

general

I went to my mom and said that I

in many ways. It began when the Iranian government held

no longer wanted to go to school

a presidential election that was called for the conservative

The reasons for the unrest and

at the school I was at because

incumbent in a suspiciously short amount of time, which

revolution remain the subject of

that’s where all the affluent kids

sparked vast protests in the streets of Tehran. Just like

a lot study even today. Usually

went,” she remembers. “I wanted

they had 30 years before, the people of Iran demanded that

when countries like Iran have a

to go to a school where everyone

their government be held accountable. The government re-

huge, paradigm-changing revo-

was welcome. And my mom, to

sponded with violence, arresting and even killing protesters

lution, it’s the result of a huge

her credit, let me do that. I had

— much of it happening on live video and being documented

trend

towards

pro-Western values.

6

“All people want is to be left alone to live their lives to their fullest potential; to be happy. And for their kids to be happy and have good lives.”


7

FIRUZEH MAHMOUDI

she’d first googled “Iran human rights,” 110 cities on six continents participated in Mahmoudi’s day of activism. “U2’s band organizer called me and to ask for pictures to project on the wall during ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ that day,” she says. “I was so mad crazy busy that when the phone rang, my friend was picking it up. My house was kind of like the campaign center for the Bay Area.” “We had eighteen Nobel Peace Laureates lend their voice, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Amnesty International was involved, many different groups were involved — Reporters Without Borders, Human Rights Watch. We became the biggest day of solidarity for the people of Iran in history. And it still is.”

Learning Curve Mahmoudi’s success with organizing for Iran and her heart for her home country led her to transition away from environmental activism to create United for Iran, an independent nonprofit focused civil liberties in Iran. “I was new to human rights work,” Mahmoudi says. “I’d done environmental health and justice work which, of on a then-fledgling social media service called Twitter. One infamous

powerful day. And it was heartbreaking to think that all

course, has human rights’ components to

and shocking video showed a young Iranian protester named Neda

Iranians want and this is the most universal experience.

it, but not human rights work. I’d started

Agha-Soltan getting out of her car only to be shot and killed. She died

All people want is to be left alone to live their lives to their

projects but I’d never started an entire

staring into the camera, her lifeless gaze frozen on screen.

fullest potential; to be happy. And for their kids to be hap-

non-profit on my own. I had never been an

py and have good lives. That’s simple, right? And it was

executive director. So everything was

taken away from them. It was pulled away from them.”

new. We had a sharp learning curve for

“I was heartbroken,” says Mahmoudi. “And so was literally any Iranian. They were heartbroken.” “There was one day that three to four million Iranians through-

Mahmoudi wanted to help. She wanted to do

out the country protested in complete silence,” she says. “Not a word.

something to support her people, but she didn’t know

To this day — right now — I got chills thinking about it. It was such a

what to do. “One thing I knew how to do,” she says “was organize.”

the first few years.” Fortunately, Mahmoudi is a fast learner, and the team she started building around her was eager to figure out the best way to leverage their passion to make a real impact. The

“People were giving up years of their lives — years away from their children. This is what I could do.”

Organizing

first few years, they advocated for political

“I literally googled ‘Iran human rights’ to figure out

prisoners and worked to make connections

who to call,” Mahmoudi says. Her plan was to organ-

inside Iran for people who were already in-

ize a global day of activism to raise awareness for what

volved in activism on the inside. “Ideally you

had happened in Iran and show support for the people

want to create space for those inside Iran to

being oppressed there. She didn’t know how to do any

continue the activism,” she says. “So we did

of it, she says, “But I’m one of those people who just

what we could, but it took us a little while to

thinks, ‘I’ll do it. I’ll figure it out.’”

figure out the best ways to have traction.”

And maybe this is what separates Mahmoudi from

“We wanted to become more system-

so many other people who want to get involved but

atic in what we did,” she explains. “So often

don’t know how — that little extra bit of motivation

times in this line of work, one is responding

and effort that convinces her to find a way to make a

to what’s happening. And if you want to make

difference. “Moving to a new country and starting over

deep, lasting change in any type of organizing

on my own, I learned to be resourceful and resilient,”

effort, you want to be systematic and think

she says. “I think those are the shining sides of the

long term, not always be on the defensive.

hardship I felt through my teenage years.”

That’s really critical.”

She had three weeks to get her global day of ac-

For United for Iran, being systemic has

tivism together, and she poured her heart and soul

looked like a few different things. They’ve cre-

into it. One phone call led to another. This email got

ated a new project called the “Irancubator,”

her connected to that person. And three weeks after

which uses technology to support commu-


8

FIRUZEH MAHMOUDI

nities in Iran. They’ve created the Iran Prison Atlas: a massive, interactive database of all the political prisoners in Iran, where they’re being held, and the judges who sentenced them. They’ve created an app that serves as a period tracker for women in Iran so that they can keep track of their menstrual cycles, and have an understanding of what their legal rights as a woman are in their country. These are things. Mahmoudi says, that are important to the people of Iran, and these projects are empowering citizens to make their own changes. “It wasn’t easy,” she says. “I felt like it was so important. People were giving up literally their lives. People were giving up years of their lives — years away from their children. This is what I could do.”

The Beginning Because of her work, Mahmoudi’s been blacklisted from Iran, meaning she can’t go back and visit friends and family. “I do hope in my lifetime I can go back,” she says. “I have no idea how quickly things can change.” In the meantime, Mahmoudi is fighting for a home she’s no longer allowed to visit, doing what she can from a distance to make her country a better place. And even if she’s not really able to go to Iran, she’s taking part in her home through her activism. “I very much believe that if I have a vision of the world it’s up to me to create it,” she says. “The government’s there for us, so we are there to shape it, and if it’s not doing what we want it to than we need to get involved. Activism is essentially the same as breathing and paying taxes. One of the things we have to do every day, every individual, every generation. It’s something we have to do to do make sure that our lives are moving forward and progressing and not backsliding. We have to use that right to exercise as we can.”

WHERE TO FIND AND SUPPORT FIRUZEH AND UNITED FOR IRAN ONLINE

@FiruzehMahmoudi // @United4Iran // united4iran.org LISTEN TO FIRUZEH’S PODCAST INTERVIEW ON SOUNDS GOOD

soundsgoodpodcast.com/firuzeh

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF IRAN GO OD

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BEST

Support political prisoners and stand up for human rights by signing a petition pushing Iran to provide prisoners with adequate medical care. goodnewspaper.org/2

Help track human rights abuses and develop technology to empower Iranians to better their lives by donating to United for Iran. goodnewspaper.org/2

Become an activist through your support of organizations like United for Iran, Center for Human Rights in Iran, and Iran Human Rights Documentation Center.


THE WAY OF TRUTH

WHEN I DESPAIR, I REMEMBER THAT ALL THROUGH HISTORY


#GOODNEWSPAPER

MAHATMA GANDHI

@GOODGOODGOODCO

AND LOVE HAS ALWAYS WON.


11

GAME CHANGERS

The World Is Getting Happier part of a hypothetical put together by the Gallup poll: “Please imagine a ladder, with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top. The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?” It sounds a little weird, but it works really well. And what’s more, the answers are slowly changing. As you might expect, countries with more access to resources tend to be happier than countries with little access. That’s why Nordic countries like Sweden and the Netherlands tend to score higher, while countries with a lot of poverty like South Sudan are less happy. It’s important to note that there are exceptions. South and Latin American countries generally report a fairly high level of happiness, despite having a similar economic development to Eastern European countries, which on average, report a lower level of happiness. In any case, as poverty is slowly eased over time (check out our infographic on page 12), the world is reporting a higher level of happiness. Case in point, Zimbabwe, which has seen the highest change in its happiness index. In 2004, only about 56 percent of people living How do you measure happiness? That’s actually an issue

but scientists have spent a lot of time trying

in Zimbabwe reported being “rather happy” or “very happy.” Just ten

that has perplexed researchers for about as long as there

to calculate the overall mood of the globe and

years later, that number had jumped to over 82 percent.

has been such a thing as researchers. Happiness can de-

their research suggests something surprising:

pend on a wide variety of issues and it can fluctuate day

people are, in general, getting happier.

by day. One day, you’re feeling sort of bummed. The next

The main quantifier of happiness for these

day, you’re feeling optimistic. It’s difficult to quantify,

researchers is actually a question that works as

The reasons for all of this are hard to pin down and get pretty complicated. But science is highlighting some of those reasons and the more we understand why people are getting happier, the easier it will to make others happy. And that, in and of itself, is a reason to be happy.

US Homelessness Rate Is Declining The United States’ general decline in its homeless popula-

The rate of homeless veterans in the U.S. has dropped by

tion is one of its great success stories of the past decade.

seventeen percent over the last year, and continues to fall.

The decline has been steady and consistent, with numbers

So why is the homeless rate dropping? Interestingly

dropping by about 20 percent from 2005 to now. Just last

enough, the reasons are pretty straightforward and old

year, according to the Department of Housing and Ur-

fashioned: a bipartisan government effort in which both

ban Development, the homeless population fell by three

parties cooperated.

percent. Back in 2013, the Atlantic wrote a jubilant arti-

President George W. Bush’s second term tackled

cle titled “The Astonishing Decline of Homelessness in

homelessness head on with what he called a “housing

America,” trumpeting that America’s then-current home-

first” program, which knocked homelessness down almost

less population had fallen to 633,000 people. Today, that

30 percent. After he left office, President Barack Obama’s

number is lower than 550,000.

stimulus package put a lot of money into a homeless pre-

This decline has continued even in the midst of Amer-

vention program that kept Bush’s work alive even as the

ica’s economic crisis and severe housing crunch and

Recession threatened to undo the housing first program’s

doesn’t show any sign of abating. While 550,000 people is

legacy.

still a lot, the fact that the number has dropped so sharply

Long story short, it turns out politicians can get a

is definitely cause for encouragement. What’s especially

lot done when they decide to work together on problems

promising is the plummeting population of U.S. veterans.

everyone agrees need to be fixed.

HOW TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS GO OD

BET TER

BEST

The next time you encounter someone who is homeless, give them five minutes of your time with genuine conversation, empathy, and love and consider buying them a meal.

Donate to organizations like Happy Hippie Foundation, True Colors Fund, HELP USA, and local homelessness non-profits in your community. goodnewspaper.org/2

Call a local organization or mission working with people who are experiencing homelessness and ask how you can support them.


12

P I VOT I N G P OV E RT Y

HOW TO FIGHT GLOBAL POVERTY GO OD

BET TER

BEST

Watch John Green’s vlog: “Human Life Is Getting Better. Faster Than Ever Before.” It’s an inspiring reminder and encouragement to keep going. goodnewspaper.org/2

Give a small loan to someone in the world needing funds to grow their business, go to school, or switch to clean energy. You can help alleviate poverty for as little as $25 at kiva.org

Contact your elected representative and tell them you want increased spending on foreign assistance and antipoverty measures. It’s easy and impactful.


13

C L E A N WAT E R

Scientists Have Figured out How to Solve a Desert Water Crisis A BEAUTIFUL AND IMPACTFUL WAY TO BRING PEOPLE CLEAN WATER North India is home to something called a “high desert.” It’s a mountain region, with the Himalayas cutting through it, and waterfall is scarce. In fact, the area gets an average of just 50 millimeters of rainfall per year. Most people who live there depend on Himalayan glaciers to melt so that they can collect fresh water. As global temperatures rise, this method of collecting water has grown increas-

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROLEX

ingly unreliable, since the glaciers melt too quickly for the people to collect it slowly as it melts again during the day-

in the Swiss Alps. And according to National Geographic,

But that’s all starting to change thanks to an engineer

time. These “glaciers” are huge — some 60-feet tall — and

Wangchuck is also working on one for India, where freezing

named Sonam Wangchuk, who is trying to turn his home

they take on sort a cone shape, which is the best way for

a local glacier could help curb flooding issues.

into a thriving oasis. And, thanks to some innovative tink-

them last into the spring and even summer months.

water to pool so people can collect it.

But Wangchuk’s heart remains with his own people.

ering with the environment, he’s succeeding. Instead of

Their shape resembles “stupas”, Buddhist religious

“We in the mountains are minorities, not just ethnically

people spending a long, difficult journey to travel up to the

sites used for meditation and prayer. Since stupas are

but climatewise,” he told National Geographic. “Things that

glaciers to get fresh water, Wangchuk is bringing the gla-

common in the region, Wangchuk feels that his invention

work in New York or New Delhi do not work in the moun-

ciers to them.

is a natural fit for his people. Because it resembles some-

tains. We have to find our own solutions for our problems.”

Wangchuk created what’s he’s calling an “ice stupa” — basically an artificial glacier. The way it works is compli-

thing we have in our tradition, it is made more close to the population, to their hearts,” he told The Guardian.

Wangchuk’s first two ice stupas were paid for through crowdsourcing back in 2013, but they were so successful

cated but, essentially, pipes are laid high in the mountains

The ice stupas may have a shape that makes it an or-

that he got a grant from Rolex that will allow him to build

that transport the melting water from the glaciers closer

ganic addition to the geography of Wangchuck’s people, but

twenty more and help pay to educate locals about ways

to where people can get to it. Then, thanks to the special

they’re far from the only ones who are interested in them.

they can use their environment to address issues facing

design of the pipes, that water freezes overnight, allowing

In 2016, Europe got its first ice stupa, this one situated

their community.

HOW TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION TO GLOBAL THE WATER CRISIS GO OD

BET TER

BEST

Watch this VR/360° film about a 13-year-old who used to spend every day trying to balance providing water for her family and pursuing her education. goodnewspaper.org/2

Help pay water bills when cities cut off water to lowincome families, seniors, and single parents unable to pay. Donate to Human Utility at goodnewspaper.org/2

Donate your birthday to charity: water. Next year, instead of asking for presents, ask people to donate toward clean water. Go to charitywater.org/birthday


14

GAME CHANGERS

How Two Iranian Brothers are Helping Syrian Refugees’ Career Dreams Come True

Years ago, Kamiar and Arash Alaei were two

placed an estimated five million people. Many

brothers with a dream to become medical doctors.

of those refugees are children with the same

Lots of kids have similar dreams, but it was a

dreams the Alaei brothers had when they were

particularly impossible-sounding one for the Al-

little, and now, the Aleis are using technology

aei brothers. They lived in Iran, were caught up

they didn’t have access to when they were chil-

in an Iraq-Iran war that was claiming thousands

dren like smartphones and wifi to give them

of lives, and were going to school in makeshift

the same opportunities.

tents. There was never any reason to believe the

They’ve teamed up with a Syrian organiza-

Alaei brothers would see their dream become a

tion called the Free Aleppo University, which

reality. Except that it has. For both of them.

holds classrooms at secret locations to protect

Today, the Alaeis are in their forties, heading

students. With their help, they’ve been able to

up the Global Institute for Health and Human

translate medical textbooks, recruit bilingual

Rights at the State University of New York at

instructors to give live lessons over a mobile

Albany. They know how hard it was for them to

app, and they’ve even talked an American com-

escape the cycle of war and death in the Middle

pany into giving Syrian students free access

East, and they’re helping their dream come true

to an app that has full color anatomical charts

for others.

instead of the bootlegged photocopies they’d

“It’s a way for us to show the students that we care about them and don’t want them to lose

able to help train over 500 students.

their hope,” Arash told NPR. “Someday there

There’s still a long way to go. Unfortunate-

will be peace, and they will be the new genera-

ly, it’s not possible to teach a medical student

tion of doctors.”

everything they need to know over an app.

They’ve turned their attention to Syria,

But it’s a major development in terms of help-

which is currently facing what experts believe

ing refugees continue to pursue their career

to be the world’s largest modern humanitar-

and

ian crisis, due to a brutal civil war that has dis-

unspeakable challenges.

life

goals

even

in

the

midst

of

Earlier this year, scientists in China did some-

ues to develop, it’s great news. Scientists are most excited about

thing that for decades has only existed in the realm

the possibilities quantum entanglement raises for preventing

of sci-fi and comic books: teleportation. They took

hacking and identity theft. They want to use it to eventually cre-

one object — in this case, a photon situated in the

ate something they call a “quantum internet” or, if you’d rather an

Gobi Desert, and teleported it into orbit. Out to the

“unhackable internet.” Right now, whenever you’re online, your

Micius Satellite, to be precise.

digital information has to be sent across the digital airwaves,

Now, if you’re thinking Star Trek, pump the breaks a little. Teleporting billions and billions of

Teleportation is Becoming a Reality and That’s Good News

been relying on. In the past year, they’ve been

where it’s vulnerable to hackers. But if your information could instead be teleported, it would never leave a secure location.

interconnected particles out to Hawaii is still a little

That’s a big deal. Right now, approximately 15 million Ameri-

beyond the current reach of technology, so don’t get

cans get hit with identity theft annually, totalling to an estimated

your hopes up for an instant vacation anytime soon.

financial loss in the ballpark of 50 billion dollars. Some people

What scientists have actually achieved is some-

who get their identities hacked are able to resolve the issue quick-

thing they’re calling “quantum entanglement.” In

ly, with minimal financial loss. But there are plenty of cases of

essence, they’re not transmitting an actual physical

identity theft really ruining people’s lives. If this technology starts

object so much as the information contained in that

to improve a lot of people’s online existence, and protect the finan-

object. As a loose analogy, think of a fax machine.

cially vulnerable.

You’re not transmitting paper from one fax machine

Right now, the technology is still in its infancy, and not enough

to another, but you’re transmitting the information

data can be teleported for it to be terribly useful. But China is al-

on that paper. Quantum entanglement works the

ready working on a prototype to send some tiny bits of information

same way. The information from one photon was

and test just how well it all works. “There are significant barriers

teleported — instantly — to another photon.

still to overcome,” Professor Ian Walmsley from Oxford University

So is this good news? If the technology contin-

told the BBC. “But this is how transformative change begins.”

HOW TO SUPPORT EDUCATION AROUND THE WORLD GO OD

BET TER

BEST

Learn more about the importance of education by following @malala (a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate ) on Twitter.

Donate to Libraries Without Borders to help them bring educational tools to communities in need, including refugees and displaced persons. goodnewspaper.org/2

Volunteer or get a job teaching abroad by partnering with governments through organizations like Teachers Without Borders, Peace Corps, or Americorps.


15

GAME CHANGERS

The Real Facts on the Immigrant Crime Rate

There’s a lot of debate in the U.S. about immigration,

Butcher and Piehl studied crime rates in 1980, 1990 and 2000

and exactly what the legal process should look like

and found that immigrants were less likely than natives to be in-

for those who cross the U.S. borders without proper

carcerated, and the gap between the two grew with each passing

documentation. That debate involves a lot of com-

decade. In fact, when they studied California, they found cities with

plex issues, and it needs to be taken seriously. And be-

high rates of immigration tended to see their crime rates go down.

cause it needs to be taken seriously, we need to make

Another study looked at 150 cities across the U.S. to judge how

sure we’re getting our facts correct. The immigration

immigration affected local crime rates. In their report, Martinez

issue involves millions of real people with real lives,

et al wrote “It appears that anti-immigrant sentiments that view

and we owe it to them to make sure we’re giving their

immigrants as crime prone are not only inaccurate at the micro-

plight the gravity it deserves. Unfortunately, there’s

level, they are also inaccurate at the macro-level. Increased im-

one big part of that conversation that many people

migration may actually be beneficial in terms of lessening some

tend to get wrong — and it’s time to correct that.

types of crimes.” Yep, their study suggested that high immigra-

For many people who talk about immigration,

tion rates might help bring down local homicide rates. Another

it’s almost a given that undocumented immigrants

study from Stowell et al found that “The weight of the evidence

are more likely to commit crimes than natural born

suggests that immigration is not associated with increased lev-

citizens. You hear that line of thinking from elected

els of crime. To the extent that a relationship does exist, research

officials, hardline immigration activists and even

often finds a negative effect of immigration on levels of crime, in

friends and family. Even President Donald Trump

general, and on homicide in particular.

had his famous campaign line about how immi-

Why is this good news? Because it shows that the United States’

grants coming from Mexico are “murderers” and

longstanding tradition of welcoming others to its shores is a good

“rapists.” That’d be very scary... if it were true.

thing and not an accident. There are, of course, some important

But the simple fact is this: every study across

safeguards in place to make sure that immigrants coming to the

the board finds that immigrants are less likely to

U.S. aren’t terrorists but these studies show those safeguards are

break the law than other citizens, and have no ef-

working and, even better, show that the people who come here are

fect on local crime rates.

helping make our country a better place for all of us.

Few things in the world are as devastating as

edge to deliver babies, immunize against diseases

the death of a child, particularly when that

and offer family planning advice — and they made

death could have been avoided. The fact is that

an incredible difference in their communities.

all over the world, children die from things

Ethiopia hit its target rate of cutting child mor-

like lack of access to clean food and water, and

tality rates in 2012, three years ahead of schedule.

preventable diseases. We can put a stop to those

The program even impressed billionaire and

deaths and here’s the good news: we are.

The Global Child Death Rate has Dropped 50 Percent Since 1990.

famed philanthropist Bill Gates, who visited

In the last 25 years, the death rate of

Ethiopia in May and talked about how amazing

children under five has been cut in half. 12.1 mil-

he thought Ethiopia’s program was. “One of the

lion child deaths in 1990 to 5.8 million in 2015.

key reasons the program has been so effective is

There are plenty of reasons why and most of

that the health workers are dedicated to measur-

them involve a lot of time and effort spent by

ing their progress,” he wrote on his website. “Cov-

governments, donors and health officials all

ering nearly every square inch of the walls of the

over the world.

health post I visited were large charts, where the

Take Ethiopia, where one in five children

health workers would track births, immuniza-

were dying before their fifth birthday back in

tions, malaria cases, and other indicators. Each

1990. Ethiopia joined forces with the United

indicator helped them understand how well they

Nations to work on what they called the Millen-

were performing and which areas demanded

nium Development Goals, and resolved to cut

more attention.”

their child mortality rate by two-thirds before

That may seem like a small detail, but it’s just

2015. They started training thousands of people

that sort of attention and thoroughness that’s

— mostly women — in the basics of healthcare.

contributed to making a huge difference that has

These people were empowered with the knowl-

saved millions of lives.

HOW TO HELP PREVENT CHILD MORTALITY AROUND THE WORLD GO OD

BET TER

BEST

Read Bill & Melinda Gates’ 2017 annual letter about how the world is getting dramatically better & how we can play a role in accelerating good. goodnewspaper.org/2

“Baby boxes” are correlated with a significant decrease in SIDS in Finland. Find and support local organizations and hospitals that provide these to new mothers.

Hold a donation drive for Carry the Future, who provides aid to refugee mothers & children in need through child carriers, baby beds, diapers, and survival items.


16

GO OD QU E ST ION S

Finding good news isn’t always easy and finding ways

ics that matter to you. You can submit a question

to inform yourself about good things happening in the

at goodnewspaper.org/goodquestions or tweet us

world is even harder. That’s what Good Questions is

@goodgoodgoodco. Our team and the Good Good

for: to help you learn more good stuff about the top-

Good community will answer as many as possible.

I keep hearing immigrants who come to America can have a tough time finding work and connecting to the community. How can I help? —Chandler P.

I want to talk to my local politicians about issues that matter to me, but I don’t really know where to begin. Do you have any advice? —Aida B.

GOOD ACTION

GOOD LISTEN

WelcomingRefugees.org is a great resource that can plug you in with resources

Left, Right and Center — A great, bipartisan podcast to keep you in-

in your local area to help immigrants adjust to their new country. (You can

formed so that you know what you’re talking about when you reach out.

also follow them on Twitter and Facebook to receive more new resources.)

Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

GOOD READ

GOOD BOT

The Leavers: Lisa Ko — A powerful novel about learning to come to terms

Resistbot.io — A free, super simple-to-use bot that makes it gobsmackingly

with America from the perspective of a Chinese immigrant. Reading it can

easy to get in touch with your local politicians. Just text ‘Resist’ to 50409

help you unlock the power of empathy and is a great place to start.

and Resistbot will help you get started communicating with your elected leaders.

GOOD FOLLOW A few great people to follow to learn more about the immigrant ex-

GOOD READ

perience and how you can support people new to the country

The Big Connect: Shaili Chopra — An in-depth, well-researched look

are: @JoseIsWriting, @DRMAction, and @ErikaAndiola.

at how social media is changing the way politicians interact with their constituents.

I want to read more books, but I feel like I just don’t have the time. How can I become a better reader? —Derek S. GOOD DOWNLOAD

GOOD SITE

GOOD WATCH

Audible — Audible is a great way to get your hands on

Whichbook — Sometimes the only thing you need to

Midnight in Paris — Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams

audiobooks, and audiobooks are a great way to con-

become a better reader is the right book. This site has

star in this Woody Allen picture about the power of books.

sume more literature in your day. Turn them on when

put together a really fun way to looking up book rec-

It’s a wonderful reminder, if you need one, about why

you’re on your commute or getting ready for bed.

ommendations tailored to your tastes.

reading is so important and interesting.

I’ve come to care more about whether my food has been farmed ethically and sustainably. How can I learn more? —Rae I. GOOD WATCH

GOOD READ

GOOD LISTEN

Unbroken Ground — This 26-minute documentary,

Eating Animals — The author of ‘Extremely Loud

Thought for Food — An engaging, thoughtful, frequent-

produced by Patagonia, explains the critical role food

and Incredibly Close’ shares why he became a

ly funny podcast that explores the world of taking your

will play in the next frontier of our efforts to solve the

vegetarian. Whether or not he convinces you to

eating habits seriously. You can find it on Apple Pod-

environmental crisis. It’s available for free on YouTube.

give up meat, his points are worth considering.

casts or wherever you listen to podcasts.


17

GOOD CLASSIFIEDS

GOOD CLASSIFIEDS

This is the Goodnewspaper’s classiďŹ ed section,

other newspaper, but instead of listing jobs, we’re

where we’ll post quotes, good thoughts, big ups, high

listing signs of hope. And of course we needed some

ďŹ ves, congratulations, and anything else you, our

comics and a crossword puzzle too!

readers, would care to have printed here. Think of this like any normal classiďŹ ed ads you’d see in any

Want to run a classiďŹ ed here? Find out how at goodnewspaper.org/classiďŹ eds

Find the answers to the crossword at goodnewspaper.org/crossword

GOOD CROSSWORD YOU = AWESOMESAUCE! -@NYActor I just got 2 Fidget Spinners and that’s okay! -Matt Rappaport Stop waiting, Start Creating! :) <3 GOODNEWSPAPER FTW!

AC ROSS

DOWN

2. This successful investor pledged to give away 99 percent of his fortune to philanthropic causes.

1. Celebrate good news. _____ good news. 3. According to Dr. Rick Hanson (and his podcast episode on Sounds Good), humans are wired with an internal _____.

5. Californian cities with high rates of _____ tended to see their crime rates go down.

4. Scientists teleported a photon from the Gobi Desert to the _____ Satellite.

7. The youngest ever Nobel Prize laureate 8. This country resolved to cut their child mortality rate by two-thirds before 2015. And beat the goal by 3 years.

We are a podcast and collective on a mission to shed light on the creatives out there dreaming and doing and showing up authentically. Check us out at www.rauthenticity.com to learn more.

Time for chocolate! 3 years of patience, perseverance and hard work. We’re the first to offer This is a shout out for The Lively Show! This podcast and the work of

Single Estate Chocolate from Malaysia, sourced directly. Handcrafted with love in London. Follow our journey

10. An activity aimed to inuence decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions

9. _____ means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.

11. According to the Beatles, this is all you need.

12. This tiger is bounding back from the brink of extinction.

12. Scientists created _____ made of ice to provide clean water for people in North India.

13. Kamiar and Arash Alaei were two Iranian brothers with a dream to become _____.

14. This country has seen the highest change in its happiness index.

16. _____ is the executive director of United for Iran.

15. At this non-proďŹ t 100% of public donations go to water projects.

17. A 2016 ďŹ lm about a girl who risks everything for freedom after being traďŹƒcked from her mountain village in Nepal to a brothel in India.

18. The iconic photographer who was highlighted in a feature story in Issue 01 of the Goodnewspaper. 20. A travel document often required for admittance to other countries.

19. A narrow beam of light 22. He was the primary leader of India’s independence movement and also the architect of a form of non-violent civil disobedience that forever inuenced the world.

21. _____ good news. Become good news.

23. A questioning or canvassing of persons selected at random 24. A community-focused incubator for making apps that promote social good in Iran

www.beaucacao.com — Bo & Tom 1

@

2

jessclively

3

has brought so

4

much joy, ease and 5

flow into my world.

7

If you desire a more intuitively driven life, I can’t recommend it enough!

Spend more time outdoors

8 9

thinking about the things that you’re thankful for.

10

12

11

13

14 15 16 17

18 19

Bring a positive message through motion graphics & video. Derek

20

Swanson works with brands, agencies, non-profits & Churches

21

crafting unique videos. Mention this ad & 25% of your project cost will go to charity. Learn more at dswanson.co 22 23

đ&#x;’šđ&#x;’š đ&#x;’šđ&#x;’š đ&#x;ŒŽđ&#x;ŒŽ đ&#x;’šđ&#x;’š to the đ&#x;ŒŽđ&#x;ŒŽ from Muxu.Muxu’s team đ&#x;‘Şđ&#x;‘Ş đ&#x;ŒŽđ&#x;ŒŽ đ&#x;‘Şđ&#x;‘Ş đ&#x;‘Şđ&#x;‘Ş

24


GOOD CLASSIFIEDS

Follow my favorite non-profit, @TWLOHA. They’re a daily reminder that my pain is real and I’m not alone. I hope they’re a great reminder for you too.

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” —Dr. Maya Angelou

branden! thank you thank you thank you for introducing me to podcasts like ‘conversations with people who hate me’ and ‘pantsuit

Check out my fav illustrator, Becky Simpson! You can find her amazing work at chipperthings.com!

politics’ via YOUR podcast, ‘sounds good’!

I’m loving the Goodnewspaper Facebook group community. Shoutout to everyone in the group — especially Derek, Jolayna, &c Branden! (facebook.com/groups/goodgoodgoodco)

GOOD JOURNALISM

The Goodnewspaper has never been about ignoring the realities of the world. It’s always been about identifying injustices, looking for problem solvers, and joining in with making the world a better place. That’s why we support good journalism. We’re glad the Goodnewspaper is part of your media diet but it alone is not a complete meal. Please consider adding some more good journalism to your mix. If you are looking for more, consider: The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Pew Research, NPR, Politifact, Washington Post, BBC, The Economist, The Guardian, and the Washington Post.

18


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MAYBE PODCASTS ARE YOUR THING? Sounds Good with Branden Harvey is a weekly podcast hosting hopeful conversations with optimists and world-changers about the unique experiences that drive them to use their influence for good.

SOUNDSGOODPODCAST.COM (or search for Sounds Good on Apple Podcasts)

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