Happy (early) Earth Day! Remember, if there's one thing that unites us it's that we are all technically neighbors (roommates?) on this big, beautiful ball of life. Here are some planet-friendly ways to get more in tune with the nature around you, like cultivating plants native to your climate and location. As for me, I'll be introducing myself to some trees. Do they like that sort of thing? I'm not sure, but it feels like a sign of respect. After all, they were here first.
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| Our favorites this week Get going with some of our most popular good news stories of the week
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Something borrowed
Every good wedding has a little something that goes wrong. Some people even consider it good luck! If that's true, then Calivé and Shannon Jackson, who got married last December, definitely started out on the right foot. The couple, from Trinidad and Tobago, had an intimate wedding ceremony on the beautiful beaches of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The only problem? When the time came to exchange rings, they couldn't find them! Luckily, an Argentinian couple who had been watching the nuptials from afar stepped in and offered their own wedding rings so the about-to-be-newlyweds could finish the ceremony. As if that wasn't sweet enough, the stand-in rings actually fit! "People celebrate wherever love is, and we got to share our moment with so many people that were so happy for us," Calivé Jackson told me. "We can never thank those two enough for that." Read the whole story here. |
For the beauty of the Earth
It's time to get outside! National Park Week starts today, and to kick off the celebration, every US National Park Service site will have free entry for the day. If you can't make it out today, each day of National Park Week will have a different theme to observe. Monday, for instance, will land on Earth Day. And Saturday, April 27, will be Junior Ranger Day. Now is also a good time to mark your calendars for other free admission days: June 19 (Wednesday): Juneteenth National Independence Day
August 4 (Sunday): Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
September 28 (Saturday): National Public Lands Day
November 11 (Monday): Veterans Day Read more information here. |
Rainbow Glory
Astronomers have spotted what they believe to be a rainbow-like phenomenon occurring on a planet outside our solar system for the first time, and it could reveal new insights about alien worlds. Observations from the European Space Agency's Cheops space telescope detected a "glory effect" on WASP-76b, an ultra-hot exoplanet. Often seen on Earth, the effect consists of concentric, colorful rings of light, and it occurs when light reflects off clouds made of a uniform substance. (The above image is an artist's rendition.) The lead researcher on a recently published report describing the phenomenon explained why this is so rare: "There's a reason no glory has been seen before outside our Solar System — it requires very peculiar conditions," said lead study author Olivier Demangeon. "First, you need atmospheric particles that are close-to-perfectly spherical, completely uniform and stable enough to be observed over a long time. The planet's nearby star needs to shine directly at it, with the observer at just the right orientation." So, not once in a blue moon but once in a ... rainbow planet? Read the whole story here. |
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Sponsor Content by honeycomb |
Every 24 hours, 27,000 trees …are cut down for toilet paper. This luxury bamboo three-ply is changing that. It feels just like regular high-end TP, but doesn't harm trees. In honor of Earth Day (4/22), code E30 takes 30% off for the next 24 hours. |
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| This week on the 5 Good Things podcast, Three college recruits reflect on the WBNA draft, and a college dorm surprises their hall's security guard with the gift of a lifetime. Plus, some cherry blossom talk and an interesting question: Would you ride to the edge of space in a helium balloon? Listen to the latest episode here! |
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OK, I have found the perfect place to hang out. You can come too, but only if you don't talk and put away your phone and have a taste for classical music. Lion Cafe in Tokyo's Shibuya district is one of the city's few remaining meikyoku kissa, or masterpiece cafés. It has changed little in its 98 years, and the layout hints at its unusual premise: All of the chairs face the same way, as they would be during an actual classical music concert. Mobile phones are also forbidden. Naoya Yamadera, the current manager of the Lion Cafe, says the establishment has regulars that have been coming for decades, since when his father was the original manager. It's also attracting visitors from around the globe, and Yamadera attributes some of that admiration to the café's unchanging charm. Read the whole story here. |
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"Maybe five or six years ago, I was really despondent about the climate situation. I was doing stuff, but I knew I could do a lot more given that I have a platform. It was hard for me to even get out of bed, I was so depressed. Then I started Fire Drill Fridays and the minute I started my activism full-on, the depression lifted."
- Actress and climate activist Jane Fonda, who says activism keeps her "hopeful." The 86-year-old is also encouraging others who may be feeling hopeless about the state of the world to get involved — not only to help the planet, but to help themselves feel more optimistic about the future. |
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Don't get any ideas, but apparently, some bumblebees can survive underwater. The discovery was somewhat of a mistake. A recent study described an incident where scientists from Canada's University of Guelph accidentally submerged hibernating queen common eastern bumblebees in water. Once they realized their (potentially very sad) oversight, were astonished to find that they had survived. It was surprising because, well, there was no reason to assume bees even could survive underwater! While the study did not examine how the bees were able to survive, one possible explanation is that they are in diapause, said Raine, which is "a state of suspended growth and reproduction characterized by reduced oxygen intake." Essentially, they're in energy-saving mode and don't have time for silly things like dying. Scientists are now very keen to study whether other wild pollinators — essential parts of our ecosystems — can survive under similar conditions. Read the whole story here. |
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Rec of the week Brought to you by CNN Underscored |
Washing dishes can waste a lot of money and water. Here's how to cut down Washing dishes not only creates plastic trash from all the soap bottles you use, but things like water usage, microplastics in your sponge can affect the environment. That's why we reached out to some experts to get the lowdown on how you can switch up your routine to help both the environment and your wallet. |
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Shameless animal video There's always time for cute animal videos. That time is now. |
AAAHHH! While this foxy disguise may be a bit terrifying to us humans, it appears to be a great disguise if you're caring for an orphaned baby fox. (Click here to view) |
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