Goodable

In Colorado, a passerby saw a bird caught on a fishing hook and struggling to swim.

So she rushed to a nearby fire station, where firefighters arrived to free the bird, giving it a second chance at life.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
❤️🐦

In Colorado, a passerby saw a bird caught on a fishing hook and struggling to swim. So she rushed to a nearby fire station, where firefighters arrived to free the bird, giving it a second chance at life. ❤️🐦

These Firefighters Just Rescued a Bird Caught in a Fishing Hook Line

BBC News

What started as a rotting wooden playhouse left in a field has been given a second life — and is now delighting schoolchildren in the UK.

The playhouse was rescued and restored by the Looe Shedders, a group of shed enthusiasts who spent two years repairing the tiny structure before installing it at Trenode Primary Academy.

“Seeing the kids really enjoying [their new Wendy house] is worth all the agony we went through to renovate it,” said Peter Heywood of the Looe Shedders.

Head teacher Beth Pike said the children had already taken to it enthusiastically. “It’s a very big hit,” she said, noting that both girls and boys were enjoying the new play space. “They love all the details in it. There are seats in there, the bunting, and I think the biggest favourite is definitely the door with the window through it.”

She added that beyond fun, the Wendy house gives pupils “an outdoor imaginary area” that also helps them develop language skills.

The project is part of the broader “Men’s Sheds” movement, which creates spaces for people of any gender to “connect, converse and create.” In addition to the playhouse, the Looe Shedders have also built a playground tractor for Trenode, a mural for Hillcrest Nursing Home, and a playground bus for Looe Primary Academy.

Heywood said the group managed the restoration in a temporary workshop but is now hoping to find a more permanent home for future community projects.

For the children at Trenode, the shed’s revival has already paid off — a once-forgotten playhouse has become a treasured part of their daily adventures.

'Shed Enthusiasts' Transformed an Old Playhouse Into a Favorite Retreat for School Children

GoodGoodGood

ChatGPT said:

A simple bus stop might not look like a game-changer. But in Boston, it just might be.

Last summer, the city became the first in the U.S. to roll out “green bus shelters” — low-profile transit stations topped with living roofs designed to beat the heat, support pollinators, and soak up stormwater. The idea started in the Netherlands and has spread across Europe. Now it’s gaining traction in North America.

Boston’s pilot included 30 shelters along Route 28, one of the city’s busiest bus corridors and a line that runs through neighborhoods hit hardest by extreme heat. The goal? Use everyday infrastructure to tackle some of the city’s biggest climate challenges — and make the daily commute a little greener, literally.

“These green roofs on bus shelters are not just a representation of Boston’s progress on sustainability,” Mayor Michelle Wu said when the project launched. “They are a practical, scalable solution to some of the most pressing challenges we face as a city.”

The shelters are built with layered roof panels that include drainage systems, a thin layer of soil, and drought-resistant plants like Sedum, which can survive Boston’s winters. Together, these green roofs provide shade, reduce surface temperatures, and help capture rainfall that would otherwise flood city drains.

Zoe Davis, senior climate resilience project manager with the Climate Ready Boston team, said each shelter can absorb up to 1,500 gallons of water during a one-inch rainfall. She called the project “a small step with big potential.”

“What if the key to a cooler, more livable future can be found in the places we pass by every day?” Davis said during a TEDxTalk about the project. “It’s small steps like growing living roofs on bus shelters that can compound and ripple into big impacts.”

Boston’s green shelters were made possible through a mix of public and private collaboration. Local firm Social Impact Collective led the design. Weston Nurseries supplied the plants. YouthBuild Boston — a nonprofit that trains underserved young people in construction and design — helped with installation.

“The number of public and private partners involved in this project demonstrates the all-of-government approach this administration has taken to enhancing sustainability, livability, and justice,” said Oliver Sellers-Garcia, Boston’s Green New Deal director.

And the effort could grow. If green roofs were added to all 8,000 bus shelters across Boston, the city estimates it would create about 17 acres of green space — the equivalent of 13 football fields.

Though still early, Boston’s results will be closely watched. Studies in other cities have already shown promise. In Montreal, thermal imaging found that green-roofed shelters were significantly cooler than standard ones. In Utrecht, the Netherlands, nearly 500 “bee-line” bus shelters have helped stabilize local pollinator populations.

Similar projects are now being planned in parts of Maryland, with proposals underway in Arlington, Virginia and New York City.

The message is clear: Green infrastructure doesn’t always need to be massive. Sometimes, it can be as modest as the roof over your head — or the one above your bus stop.

Blooming Bus Stops: This City is Leading The U.S. With Its Green Roofs Initiative

Space

Aurora enthusiasts got an unexpected treat this past weekend as a surprise geomagnetic storm dazzled the skies across the U.S. The unexpected event, driven by a peculiar feature in the sun known as a coronal hole, lit up the night with stunning displays of northern lights.

Space weather physicist Tamitha Skov shared insights into the phenomenon on her YouTube channel. She explained that most experts had been monitoring larger solar eruptions for potential geomagnetic activity. Instead, it was a seemingly insignificant coronal hole that stole the show. "The source of the big solar storm is due to this coronal hole right here," Skov said. This particular coronal hole had an unusual twist—a hidden "island" of positive polarity—that transformed what could have been a minor storm into an impressive G3-level spectacle.

Initially, forecasters anticipated only minor to moderate geomagnetic storms from this butterfly-shaped coronal hole. But when the solar wind hit Earth’s magnetic field, it sparked far more intense auroras than expected. Geomagnetic storms are graded from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). The surprise G3 storm took scientists by surprise but thrilled skywatchers everywhere.

Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere, causing gases like oxygen and nitrogen to emit light. These interactions create colorful displays that attract both amateur and professional photographers eager to capture their beauty.

Photographers across America wasted no time documenting these breathtaking sights. Ross Harried snapped vibrant green and purple auroras over Monroe, Wisconsin, while Hasan Akbas captured stunning green hues against Anchorage's night sky in Alaska. Images poured in from places like Casper, Wyoming, thanks to Andrew Towne’s lens capturing both auroras and the Milky Way.

In New York, Tony Rodriguez shared vivid red and green pillars above Seneca Lake on social media platform X: "Spectacular #aurora on the southern shore of Seneca Lake in NY! The structures were visible to the naked eye." Pavilion local Joshua Grisewood also expressed his awe at witnessing such unexpected beauty right outside his door: "Awesome surprise Aurora here in New York!"

Even Texas saw action during this rare occurrence; Blake Brown posted online about catching glimpses of northern lights mixed with lightning strikes nearby: "Northern lights made an appearance down to Texas tonight!" Gabe Zago echoed similar sentiments, saying how unforgettable witnessing auroras competing alongside lightning truly felt: "Bro, this day will be impossible to beat forever."

A Surprise Solar Storm Just Sparked Stunning Auroras Across The US

Science Alert

They might not wag their tails or come running when you call, but cats are quietly working their way into our hearts — and our brains — in a very real, biological way.

New research is confirming what many cat lovers have long suspected: our bond with felines is more than emotional. It’s chemical.

The key player? Oxytocin — the so-called “love hormone” that drives connection, trust, and stress relief. It’s the same hormone that surges when parents hug their children or close friends embrace. And now, scientists are discovering that gentle, affectionate moments with cats can trigger the same response.

Studies have already shown that dogs and humans get an oxytocin boost from interacting. But until recently, it wasn’t clear whether cats — famously more reserved — were part of that same feedback loop.

Turns out, they are.

In a 2021 study from Japan, researchers found that even a few minutes of soft stroking and gentle talking with a cat raised oxytocin levels in human participants. The interaction didn’t need to be dramatic — just calm, positive contact was enough to get the hormone flowing.

A more recent study from February 2025 went even deeper, showing that not only did owners’ oxytocin rise during cuddling sessions, but so did their cats’ — as long as the cats were willing participants. Cats that initiated contact, like hopping into laps or nudging their owners, showed the biggest hormonal spike. But for more avoidant or anxious cats, the effect was weaker — or even reversed when affection was forced.

That makes sense, says neuroscientist Laura Elin Pigott, who studies human and animal bonding. Cats are selective about when and how they connect. Unlike dogs, which evolved for pack life and constant human interaction, cats descend from solitary hunters. Their social cues are more subtle, their affections more measured.

But they’re no less meaningful.

Cats often show trust through small gestures: curling up beside you, slow blinking from across the room, or starting up that signature purr. That low, rhythmic sound doesn’t just calm the cat — it can lower blood pressure and cortisol in humans too, with oxytocin acting as the biological bridge.

Over time, these daily micro-moments — the quiet purring, the shared nap, the tentative head bump — add up to something big. They build a sense of emotional security that, for many people, offers real comfort in times of stress or loneliness.

One 2002 study found that contact with a purring cat helped reduce stress hormone levels and even pain in some people. Other studies suggest that the oxytocin released during affectionate cat interaction may work similarly to social support from another person.

That doesn’t mean cats love the same way dogs do. In one widely discussed 2016 experiment, researchers measured oxytocin spikes after 10 minutes of play with pets. Dogs showed an average increase of 57 percent. Cats? Just 12 percent.

But oxytocin isn’t just about volume — it’s about trust. And cats, who don’t give theirs away easily, may be all the more powerful for it.

Cats may not rush to greet you at the door. They might not fetch or obey on command. But when they choose to sit next to you, blink slowly, or curl up on your lap, they’re inviting you into something deeper — a quiet partnership built on safety, comfort, and the same neurochemistry that bonds us to those we love most.

So the next time your cat stretches out beside you or starts purring while you pet them, know this: something ancient is happening in your brain. Oxytocin is rising. Your stress is falling. And your connection is growing — one silent, slow blink at a time.

A New Study Reveals How Cats and Humans Bond Through Brain Chemistry

The Moon is slowly but surely slipping away from Earth — about 3.8 centimeters farther every year.

That might not sound like much, but scientists have been tracking it with extreme precision. By bouncing lasers off reflectors left on the Moon by astronauts and space probes, researchers can measure the distance to the Moon down to the millimeter.

Why is this happening? It all comes down to tides.

The Moon’s gravity pulls on Earth, and because gravity is stronger on the side facing the Moon, this creates two bulges in Earth’s oceans — one that points toward the Moon and another on the opposite side. As Earth rotates, it drags these bulges slightly ahead of the Moon’s orbit. Those bulges, in turn, tug back on the Moon — not just inward, but forward in its path. That forward nudge gives the Moon more momentum and causes it to spiral outward.

It’s a subtle process. But over time, it adds up.

Right now, the average distance between the Earth and Moon is about 384,000 kilometers. But that number can vary by up to 20,000 kilometers over the course of a month due to the Moon’s elliptical orbit. That’s why some full moons appear larger than others — a phenomenon known as a supermoon.

But unlike those monthly fluctuations, the Moon’s gradual retreat is permanent.

This cosmic tug-of-war doesn’t just affect the Moon. It also slows Earth’s rotation. As the Moon gains momentum and drifts farther out, Earth’s spin gets slightly slower, stretching the length of a day by tiny increments over time.

We know this has been happening for millions of years. Fossilized clam shells have shown growth patterns suggesting that 70 million years ago, a full day lasted just 23.5 hours — exactly what models predict based on the Moon’s movement.

The Moon has been with Earth for around 4.5 billion years, likely born from a massive impact with a Mars-sized object early in our planet’s history. Back then, it would have loomed much larger in the sky.

So, will it ever leave us?

Probably not.

Eventually, if left undisturbed for long enough, Earth and the Moon would become tidally locked — Earth would always show the same face to the Moon, just as the Moon already does to Earth. At that point, the Moon’s outward movement would stop. 

For now, though, there’s nothing to worry about. The Moon will continue inching away, tides will keep rolling in and out, and solar eclipses will still grace our skies for millions of years to come.

Scientists Just Revealed That the Moon Drifts 1.5 Inches Away From Earth Annually—Here's Why

The Cool Down

Three decades after South Australia established a marine sanctuary to protect its southern coastline, the ocean has offered up a hopeful sign in return: a surge in southern right whale numbers not seen in years.

Researchers from Flinders University have recorded nearly 200 whales across three sites in South Australia this season, marking the highest count since 2016. The recovery is being celebrated as a major milestone in marine conservation — and a reminder that protected areas can work.

“With early sightings already reported … we are eagerly anticipating a bumper year after recent years of slower growth,” said Dr. Claire Charlton, chief scientist of the Australian Right Whale Research Program, in an interview with Phys.org.

Southern right whales, once on the brink of extinction, have made a dramatic comeback thanks in part to the Great Australian Bight Marine Park, established in 1995. The area serves as a key breeding ground for the species and has played a central role in supporting their recovery.

But the history behind their name reveals just how close these gentle giants came to disappearing. As slow-moving whales that floated when killed, they were considered the “right” whales to hunt. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), around 60,000 right whales were hunted in the 1830s alone. By the 1920s, estimates suggest there were as few as 60 females left in the southern hemisphere.

Though commercial whaling has long been banned, the species still faces threats from fishing bycatch and environmental changes. Researchers note that despite the rise in overall whale sightings, calving success has declined in recent years, a signal that more work is needed to safeguard long-term recovery.

Bridgette O’Shannessy, a PhD candidate at Flinders, described the repopulation rate in South Australia as one of the fastest in the world for right whales.

“This demonstrates the power of marine protected areas, but also the need for ongoing threat mitigation for the Australian population,” she told Phys.org.

Southern right whales are one of three subspecies, alongside the North Atlantic and North Pacific right whales. They can be identified by the callosities on their heads — patches of rough skin that host amphipods, though researchers still aren’t sure exactly what role these organisms play. Like other baleen whales, they support the broader marine ecosystem by consuming krill and releasing nutrient-rich waste, which helps fertilize the ocean.

The latest counts show that local action can have global impact. From protection zones to public awareness campaigns, the steady return of the southern right whale offers a powerful case study in what’s possible when science and policy align.

It’s not the end of the story — but it’s a very promising chapter.

These Ocean Creatures are Making a Stunning Comeback: Early Sightings After Near-Extinction

Lily YangLiu isn’t just learning about climate change in school — she’s helping rewrite the curriculum.

At just 16 years old, the British Columbia teen is advising the provincial government on how to teach climate literacy in classrooms. She’s also developing a 135-hour education program aimed at helping elementary school students understand the science and real-life impacts of climate change.

It’s a role she’s uniquely qualified for.

YangLiu grew up in Beijing with severe asthma, made worse by polluted air. That experience, she says, made climate and health feel deeply personal. She began sharing her thoughts online, using WeChat — China’s most popular social platform — to connect floods, heatwaves, and daily life to the bigger picture of global warming. Her content now reaches more than 70 million views.

Speaking to Canada’s National Observer, YangLiu described her goal this way: “Everyone is literate about the climate and everyone understands the consequences of not acting. We have internalized our knowledge, and now we are changing.”

Her message seems to be resonating.

In addition to her curriculum work, YangLiu serves as deputy executive director of the DMUN Foundation, which helps young people attend international climate conferences. More than 700 youth from 30 countries have already participated. This year, YangLiu herself will make history, becoming the first child to serve as an official Canadian delegate at a high-level United Nations policy forum.

Her efforts come at a time when the consequences of climate inaction are becoming harder to ignore. Scientists continue to warn that extreme weather events — prolonged heat, flooding, and wildfires — are becoming more frequent and more intense. These are the very challenges YangLiu’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for.

And she’s not alone.

In Boulder, Colorado, a group of students recently pushed their school district to adopt a district-wide climate plan, including policies to make their buildings more environmentally friendly. Elsewhere, students are leading composting programs and sustainability efforts that turn knowledge into action, showing how early education can ripple outward into community change.

Still, the work isn’t easy. Between long hours, public speaking, and constant travel, YangLiu admits it can be tiring. But what worries her more is the possibility of indifference.

“Apathy is my biggest concern,” she said. “But when my parents come with me to events, or I see grandparents standing up beside us, I feel heartened. It is comforting that you have our backs.”

At 16, she’s already helping shape the future of education in Canada. And she’s reminding adults that young people aren’t waiting for permission to lead.

Meet The Teen Shaping Climate Education In Canada And Inspiring A Global Movement

Africa News

Morocco's Drâa Tafilalet region is buzzing as farmers celebrate a successful date harvest. Nestled in the Atlas Mountains, this area is at the heart of Morocco’s date cultivation, and this year promises a bumper crop.

In Erfoud, along the Ziz River, the harvest has already surpassed 100,000 tons. This success can be attributed to mild summer temperatures and beneficial rainfall last year that have ripened the dates and improved their quality. Farmers are now preparing to bring these dates to market.

"In September, the market is full of dates, and thank God, production has been good," said one farmer involved in the harvest. The process of harvesting is hands-on and intricate; it involves shaking palm trees carefully so that dates fall without damaging them or harming workers.

As the season progresses, farmers work diligently from morning till late afternoon to pick these fruits by hand using scissors and sickles. The changing colors of the dates—from green to golden yellow, dark red, or light brown—signal when they’re ready for picking. A seasoned farmer noted the variety present in this year's yield: "There's a wide variety of dates: Majhoul, Boufgouss, Lkhalq, and Bouslikh."

After picking the dates, sorting becomes an essential step. Farmers use three mats for sorting before moving on to “ta'maar,” which involves placing them in containers for further processing. This attention to detail ensures that consumers receive high-quality produce.

The date markets have become lively centers as traders and customers seek out top-quality dates at reasonable prices. With demand running high since the start of the season, both locals and those from afar are eager to get their hands on Morocco’s prized harvest.

For many in Drâa Tafilalet, this year’s successful crop represents not only hard work but also hope for continued prosperity in future seasons. As one farmer succinctly put it while reflecting on his day-to-day tasks: "You have to be careful and make your way out of the palm grove after you're done."

Moroccan Date Farmers Are Anticipating a Record-Breaking Harvest—here's Why

Colorado’s South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) rescued and gave oxygen to two cats they had saved from a house fire in Denver on September 15.

This footage released by SMFR shows the firefighters holding the cats and administering oxygen “as a precaution.” The cats were both subsequently released to their owner, the post said.

SMFR said they were still investigating the cause of the fire, but confirmed on X that all residents of the house had been safely evacuated; two additional cats had been found, and all felines were “doing well.”

Colorado’s South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) rescued and gave oxygen to two cats they had saved from a house fire in Denver on September 15.This footage released by SMFR shows the firefighters holding the cats and administering oxygen “as a precaution.” The cats were both subsequently released to their owner, the post said.SMFR said they were still investigating the cause of the fire, but confirmed on X that all residents of the house had been safely evacuated; two additional cats had been found, and all felines were “doing well.”

Breath of Relief: These Firefighters Used Oxygen to Save Four Cats After a House Fire

Good News Network

A new national census has found about 5,300 jaguars across the country, a 30 percent increase since the last count in 2010. That first survey, led by ecologist Gerardo Ceballos, had shocked researchers by finding four times more cats than they expected.

“It was a great surprise, terrific news,” Ceballos said. “Obviously 4,000 means the species is still in danger of extinction, but 4,000 is a lot better than 1,000.”

For the 2025 census, more than 50 research institutions and community leaders joined forces, installing 920 motion-activated camera traps across jaguar habitats. What they found defied expectations. Despite widespread deforestation in the 2010s, Mexico’s jaguar population has not only survived but expanded.

“The fact that the country has managed to maintain and increase its population over the last 14 years is extraordinary,” Ceballos told the Guardian. “For me it’s great news for the country. Mexico and the world need good news.”

The survey showed the Yucatán peninsula remains the jaguar stronghold, with 1,699 animals. The south Pacific coast followed with 1,541, then northeast and central Mexico with 813, the north Pacific with 733, and the central Pacific coast with 540.

That means Mexico now has nearly as many jaguars as Africa does cheetahs.

Compact and muscular, jaguars are the most versatile hunters among big cats. Their powerful jaws can crush turtle shells and crocodile hides. They climb trees, swim easily, and ambush prey both on land and in water. This adaptability is helping them persist as forests shrink and human development expands.

Still, challenges loom. Jaguars face habitat loss from new highways, as well as the spread of livestock diseases when they prey on cattle. Conservationists say continued vigilance will be needed to keep populations rising.

For now, though, the numbers offer rare conservation optimism. As Ceballos put it: “Mexico and the world need good news.”

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