Good News Headlines 4/8/2024

Bald eagles at their nest at the National Conservation Training Center in West Virginia on March 6, 2024. U.S. Department of the Interior / Facebook

Biden Administration Restores Protections For Threatened Species

by Paige Bennett, EcoWatch

The Biden administration restored protections to threatened species in the U.S. on March 29 — protections that had previously been rolled back in 2019 by the Trump administration. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) finalized three rules to protect threatened species and their habitats, the Department of Interior announced. The rules fall under the Endangered Species Act, which has been aimed at protecting and restoring populations of threatened and endangered species since 1973. As Reuters reported, the act is often considered why populations of vulnerable species, like bald eagles and California condors, have not gone extinct.

‘The Last Repair Shop’ Inspires Flood Of Donations For Young Musicians, Musical Instruments Following Oscar Win

by Meghan Cook, GoodGoodGood

On Oscars night, “The Last Repair Shop” took home the Academy Award for best documentary short and inspired a flurry of donations for the music repair program featured in the doc. The doc short, which is currently available to stream on Disney+, is a love letter to young musicians in the Los Angeles public school system and the craftspeople who repair their instruments for free.  Directing duo Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers accepted the award alongside 11-year-old violinist Porche Brinker, a student featured in the documentary. In his acceptance speech, Bowers — who composed the scores for “Green Book” and “The Color Purple” — talked about the importance of investing in today’s youth and removing barriers to music education.

Phoenix Passes Historic Ordinance Giving Outdoor Workers Protection From Extreme Heat

by Cristen Hemingway Jaynes, EcoWatch

A historic new law in Phoenix, Arizona, will provide thousands of outdoor workers in the hottest city in the country with protections from extreme heat. In a unanimous vote, the Phoenix City Council passed an ordinance requiring that workers have easy access to rest, potable water and shade, as well as training to recognize signs of heat stress, a press release from the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) said. Vehicles with enclosed cabs must also have access to air conditioning. “People who work outside and in hot indoor environments in Phoenix suffer unacceptably during our deadly summers, with too few protections,” said Katelyn Parady, a Phoenix-based expert on worker health and safety with National COSH.

This Is How You Can Avoid Microplastics In Your Food

by jagriti, World Lifestyle

Nowadays, microplastics appear to be everywhere, from the arctic to deep into people’s lungs, which is very concerning. Plastic gradually degrades into microscopic microplastics that humans consume, drink, and breathe in. Inevitably, microplastics find their way into natural food systems and rivers, where they can eventually end up on your plate. Though it is impossible to totally avoid microplastics, we may make intentional efforts to reduce our exposure to microplastics to a significant extent. Here are some ways to hopefully avoid microplastics.

Oregon Passes One Of The Strongest Right To Repair Laws In The U.S.

by Paige Bennett, EcoWatch

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed a “right to repair” bill into law on March 27. The state isn’t the first to pass such a law, but the new, bipartisan legislation is considered one of the strongest of its kind in the U.S. The law requires companies to make it easier for people to repair their own tech products and appliances. Manufacturers will be expected to offer documentation, diagnostic tools and replacement parts to consumers, so they may make their own repairs if they wish. “As many Oregonians are struggling to make ends meet, this legislation is an opportunity to give people more choice on how to repair their devices,” State Representative Courtney Neron, who sponsored the bill, said in a press release.