Good News Headlines 9/11/2023

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen David Gressly with the FSO Safer

Remarkable Man Averts Oil Tanker Disaster By Crowdfunding To Remove Crumbling Ship From Red Sea

by Good News Network

A derelict oil tanker off the coast of Yemen had more than a million barrels of crude sitting around, on the verge of leaching into the Red Sea, until one determined American orchestrated a last-ditch cleanup operation. Just completed this summer, the salvage operation probably prevented a major environmental catastrophe because the tanker, FSO Safer, was 47 years-old and had serious mechanical and structural risks. The diplomat working for the United Nations became a true hero after crowdfunding the many millions of dollars needed for the sea-saving work. David Gressly took advantage of a truce between warring factions in Yemen. The recent truce opened a window of opportunity to do something about this environmental ticking time bomb hanging over the region.

Biden Bans Drilling In Alaska Wildlife Refuge Due To Climate Crisis

by Louise Boyle, Independent

The Biden administration has banned oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a place of intense natural beauty and deep cultural significance to Alaska Natives. President Joe Biden released a statement confirming that he would cancel all remaining oil and gas leases in the Arctic refuge, noting that “we have a responsibility to protect this treasured region for all ages”. The climate crisis, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is warming the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the world. The president also announced the protection of more than 13 million acres in the Western Arctic, to help conserve lands and wildlife.

Oprah And Dwayne Johnson Giving $1,200 Per Month To Maui Wildfire Survivors

by Andy Corbley, Good News Network

In the aftermath of the most destructive fires in the island state’s recent memory, donations have poured in to help the thousands of affected residents on Maui. Now, celebrity duo Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have created a special welfare fund that will provide those directly injured or whose property was damaged by the fires with $1,200 per month out of their own pockets. Together they created The People’s Fund of Maui, which armed with $10 million in aid money donated by the two celebrities, will ensure those in need are reached directly. “I have been meeting with people throughout the community that were impacted by the fires over the last few weeks, asking what they most needed and how I could be of service,” Ms. Winfrey said in a press release.

Texas Tampon Tax Is Now Eliminated

by Katelyn Washington, Kiplinger

The Texas tampon tax is finally eliminated. That means Texans no longer pay state sales tax on menstrual products, such as tampons and sanitary pads. Texas is the 25th state to eliminate sales tax on feminine hygiene products, also sometimes referred to as the “pink tax” or “tampon tax.” Although the legislation was finalized in June, efforts to eliminate the pink tax in Texas began last year when several state lawmakers voiced support for the proposal. “Every woman knows that these products are not optional. They are essential to our health and well-being and should be tax exempt,” Texas Senate Committee on Finance chairwoman Sen. Joan Huffman said in a release last year.

Prince William Protects 170 Hectare Ancient Rainforest In England

by Grant Brown, Happy Eco News

Wistman’s Wood is a magical ancient rainforest of twisted moss-covered oak trees, small streams and diverse species of plants and animals. Standing in the peaceful forest, one is reminded of a scene from a mystical time before history. It is magic and wild, yet is so close to the hustle and bustle of modern England, only a few miles away. When people think of England, they often think of pastoral fields of agriculture, major industrial centres like Birmingham, or large international cities like London. They do not often think of England as a land of ancient rainforests. Yet historically, it is. Before the industrial revolution, large tracts of England were covered with temperate rainforests.