Good News Roundup: Amazon Deforestation Hits 13-Year Low, Sea Turtle Flies Home, and Sharks Help Forecast Hurricanes

This week’s good news is hitting different in the best way. Deforestation alerts in the Brazilian Amazon just dropped to their lowest level in 13 years, down 55.6% from the decade average. Environmental groups are calling the numbers historic. It’s a major sign that conservation efforts are actually working. The goal of zero deforestation by 2030 suddenly feels a lot more possible.

But wait, there’s more. A critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle named Rhossi was flown 5,000 miles from Wales to Texas for release back into the ocean. Royal Mail rolled out its 9,000th electric delivery van, meaning nearly a third of their routes are now zero-emission. And scientists at the University of Delaware are testing shark-mounted sensors to collect ocean data that could improve hurricane forecasts. Yes, sharks are basically becoming ocean meteorologists.

There’s also research showing dogs actually respond to happy human faces, ospreys bred in England for the first time since the Victorian era, and a new cross-border train line between Finland and Sweden. The week even brought a breakthrough in biodegradable plastics. Does any of this restore your faith in humanity a little bit? Let us know what story made you smile the most.