There's so much negativity going on as we speak. From political, to human crises, to hate, and everything in between. What about the good stuff? I don't know about you, but I'm tired of negativity. I found this video with 20 great things that happened in 2016. You'll find it below to re-inspire your faith in humans and maybe bring us all together again! Here are my Top 5 Favourites:
More info: interestingshit.com
#5 - Remember that Ice Bucket Challenge... It helped fund a medical breakthrough!
That's right! Donations from the ALS Ice Buckey Challenge actually funded a real study. This study helped discover the NEK1 gene that is the most common gene that contributes to the disease.
This allows scientists to tackle potential treatment, cures, or even preventions! Top notch humans!
#4 - China Announced Plans to End the Ivory Trade!
By the end of 2017, China plans to end the ivory trade. Victory for our majestic elephants! To put quantity into this good news information - getting rid of the ivory market in China will save about 20, 000 elephants per year. Which is awesome, because account to the World Wildlife Fund, there's only around 415, 000 left on our plant.
#3 - The Giant Panda is finally off the endangered species list
It has been announced by the International Union for Conservation that as of September last year, the giant pandas are no longer on the on the endangered species list! Huzzah! We still have work to do, but there are 1,864 adult panda in the wild, and there are now 67 reserves in China for them to continue to thrive!
#2 - Oh yah, and the manatees are off the endangered species list too!
The manatees have been on the endangered list since 1972, and for the first time since then, they are no longer on the endangered list. USE Fish and Wildlife Services has preprosed to reclassify them onto the "Threatened" list. Which isn't great. But with a 500% increase in population in Florida alone, it doesn't seem so impossible to keep them safe! Score for the Sea Cow!
#1 - My personal favourite: The Ocean Cleanup Project has begun
I love the planet Earth - about as much as I hate what our species has done to it. An estimated 5 TRILLION pieces of plastic are in the ocean.. like right now.. as you read this! But The Ocean Cleanup Project has launched, essentially, by 2020 they will replicate a coastline where the ocean currents flow and begin collecting plastic and waste with an autonomous system. I can't wait to see the results!