The earth is breathing again. There’s mountain lions in the streets of Boulder, dolphins in the Venice canals, wild goats in Wales, ibexes in Iran; the Himalayas are visible from Punjab for the first time in 30 years...it’s wonderful.
And, none of us are down to stay home forever to keep this happening. Obviously.
Many of us wonder if life will ever go back to what it was...or if we’re tasked with creating a whole new paradigm.
We see the potential of a bright new future...and it’s one that will take a tremendous amount of work to build in a way that systemically includes the rights and needs of ALL.
That’s a bold vision, and it’s going to require emboldened humans like you to make it happen.
We have an opportunity to be the architects of a new paradigm, to step into that future with strength and grace: to take control of our story, before we become victims of the story taking control of us.
As we navigate this change, complexity, and challenge, the tools to remind us of our inner strength and adaptability are more important than ever. Here are some of the things bringing us hope right now…
Good Earth News
7 ways the planet is healing, thanks to global lockdown
"While the global population continues to battle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Planet Earth has been carrying on as usual... in fact, she has been healing. The worldwide slowdown in human activity has had a number of positive effects on the environment, including decreased air pollution due to less carbon-guzzling planes in the sky and less fuel-burning cars on the road." READ MORE
"In a hard-to-believe moment, residents of Jalandhar, Punjab woke up to an incredible sight – a mountain range peeking from behind the clouds. The only thing is that this magnificent creation of nature is not located in the land of five rivers but is over 200 kms away from the state. What people saw is the mighty Dhauladhar range in Himachal Pradesh." READ MORE
Clear water flows through Venice amid coronavirus lockdown
"Silver linings are rare these days, but images of clear water flowing through the storied canals of Venice, Italy, seems to be lifting the spirits of a country reeling from the coronavirus pandemic." READ MORE
8 maps show the massive drop in smog caused by the coronavirus
"As streets have emptied of traffic during the coronavirus crisis and airlines have cut flights, the changes have temporarily helped another public health crisis—air pollution. In the Northeastern U.S., nitrogen dioxide pollution (the air pollution caused by internal combustion engines burning fossil fuels) fell 30% in March as lockdowns began." READ MORE
Beautiful Nature Movie Reccs
Reconnecting with the intelligence of the plant kingdom, and our global healing traditions might just be the most rewarding investment we can make – not only for ourselves, but also for our planet, and all future generations.
Paul Strauss and the Equinox Farm, is an Appalachian love affair between a man, his farm, and his desire to make the world a better place. This film ignites the green spark within us to live sustainably and to appreciate, cherish and protect our world. The film asks in an honest way, for viewers to rethink their own energy use practices and become part of the energy solution instead of part of the problem.
A consciousness-shifting film that takes us on an immersive journey through time and scale into the magical earth beneath our feet, an underground network that can heal and save our planet. Through the eyes of renowned scientists and mycologists like Paul Stamets, best-selling authors Michael Pollan, Eugenia Bone, Andrew Weil and others, we become aware of the beauty, intelligence and solutions the fungi kingdom offers us in response to some of our most pressing medical, therapeutic, and environmental challenges.
Free Sneak Peak of this culture-shifting film featuring His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Amina Mohammed (Secretary-Deputy of the United Nations), Moby, John Mackey, Tony Robbins, Richard Branson, & many others. This deeply inspiring film explores new personal, systemic and collective models of success, prosperity, contribution and what it will take for humanity to create a thriving future.
(Fun fact: Ben Lovejoy, our new Executive Creative Director, was the Creative Director on We Rise Up!)
...and Cute Animal News
Finally, Some Privacy: After 10 Years, Giant Pandas Mate in Shuttered Zoo
"Ying Ying and Le Le, two giant pandas who could never quite get in the mood over 13 years of living together in a Hong Kong zoo, successfully mated on Monday, a rare feat for the famously low-libido species and a cause of celebration in the world of animal conservation." READ MORE
Penguins take a "field trip" in closed aquarium
"The adventures of a penguin named Wellington is causing a stir at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. After the aquarium was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the animals have been exploring the building. And Wellington’s adventures, along with some of his friends, have become a viral hit."
Bonus Adorableness
Watch these little boys in China reunite after 2 months of separation
Have any good news to share with us? Drop them in a comment below!