A new legal ruling requires a leading U.S. plastics firm to fix its plastic pellet pollution in rivers — and prevent it from ever happening again. reasonstobecheerful.world/plastics-pol...

Professional chefs and home cooks are embracing induction stoves, helping create a kitchen free of noxious fumes … and sweat. reasonstobecheerful.world/induction-co...

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read the story behind this stat here: reasonstobecheerful.world/prairie-farm...

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read the story behind this stat here: reasonstobecheerful.world/assam-india-...

We still want to hear from more of you! Whether it’s an EV, e-bike, heat pump, or induction stove — tell us why you went electric and what impact it has had on your life. Tag or DM us with your experiences and photos. We’ll use the responses in an upcoming story and on social media.

See what stories caught our attention this week, including an explainer on whether New York’s likely next mayor will be able to fulfill his signature rent freeze promise. reasonstobecheerful.world/what-were-re...

Architects and communities are collaborating to design flood-resilient housing fit for the challenges low-lying regions are facing around the world. reasonstobecheerful.world/assam-india-...

Do you have an electric car, e-bike, heat pump or induction stove? We’d like to learn why you went electric and what impact it has had on your life. Tag or DM us with your experiences and photos. We’re gathering these to share your stories about going electric.

Some cattle ranchers are denying developers the chance to make a quick buck, instead safeguarding threatened grasslands for the long-term. reasonstobecheerful.world/prairie-farm...

Bordeaux is banking on innovations such as transparent solar panels to radically cut carbon emissions while preserving its heritage — and could become France’s #1 solar city. reasonstobecheerful.world/bordeaux-fra...

We want to hear about your decision to go electric. Whether it’s an EV, e-bike, heat pump, or induction stove — tell us why you went electric and what impact it has had on your life. Tag or DM us with your experiences and photos. We’ll use the responses in an upcoming story and on social media.

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read the story behind this stat here: reasonstobecheerful.world/community-ga...

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read the story behind this stat here: reasonstobecheerful.world/bordeaux-fra...

Not everyone’s bubble-wrapping their kids these days. At playgrounds designed to foster sticky situations, children learn how to deal with challenges and overcome obstacles. reasonstobecheerful.world/anarchic-pla...

As ICE increases its presence across the U.S., local groups are organizing to ensure immigrant neighbors understand their constitutional rights and know that they’re not alone. reasonstobecheerful.world/rural-commun...

See what stories caught our attention this week, including the triumph of pre-loved retail and a swimming squad of seniors who dive for trash in the ponds of Cape Cod. reasonstobecheerful.world/what-were-re...

Solutions to our problems are everywhere — and we’ve written about hundreds of them. Our smart, bright, weekly newsletter is the uplift you’ve been looking for: ow.ly/jMLz50WUgk1

Intercultural gardens are a popular form of community building in Europe — and they’re now flourishing across the U.S. reasonstobecheerful.world/community-ga...

In this month’s edition of The Spark, our newsletter about how people just like you are creating positive change, we explore how communities are helping each other prepare for hurricanes. reasonstobecheerful.world/the-spark-di...

No teachers. No curriculum. No classic rows of desks. At this San Francisco school, students as young as five shape their own education — and the kids are embracing it: reasonstobecheerful.world/brightworks-...

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read the story behind this stat here: reasonstobecheerful.world/brightworks-...

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read the story behind this stat here: reasonstobecheerful.world/anarchic-pla...

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read the story behind this stat here: reasonstobecheerful.world/technology-b...

A new crop of unsupervised and risky recreation spaces aims to banish helicopter parenting and set up children for life in the real world. reasonstobecheerful.world/anarchic-pla...

We’re thrilled to announce that RTBC is part of the 2025-26 cohort of Nova Media Fellows (@novaforhealth.bsky.social)! Over the next year, we will explore the health impacts of environmental noise: the science, the solutions and the lived experiences. novainstituteforhealth.org/announcing-t...

See what stories caught our attention this week, including a day in the life of an incredibly well-loved bicycle. reasonstobecheerful.world/what-were-re...

Imagine back-to-school season… with no “teachers,” no curriculum, no rows of desks, no hallway passes and no bells. A San Francisco school is letting students shape their own education, guided by “collaborators” and an ethos of trust: reasonstobecheerful.world/brightworks-...

At the Plastic Cup in Hungary, participants compete to scoop up the most river trash. reasonstobecheerful.world/plastic-cup-...

It’s almost akin to hearing from a nutritionist that bacon is good for you… Turns out, studies show technology can have a protective cognitive effect for older adults and could be contributing to a drop in dementia rates: reasonstobecheerful.world/technology-b...

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read this stat’s story here: reasonstobecheerful.world/london-solar...

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read this stat’s story here: reasonstobecheerful.world/plastic-cup-...

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read this stat’s story here: reasonstobecheerful.world/coppicing-bo...

London residents in social housing can now access the clean, affordable energy coming from their own roofs. reasonstobecheerful.world/london-solar...

British forests are adopting an ancient practice of cutting back trees to support nature. Counterintuitive, yes, but experts say “coppicing” can help biodiversity thrive. reasonstobecheerful.world/coppicing-bo...

Solutions to our problems are everywhere — and we’ve written about hundreds of them. Our smart, bright, weekly newsletter is the uplift you’ve been looking for: ow.ly/W1or50WNBt5

See what stories caught our attention this week, from more sustainable building demolition to leveraging local food after disasters. reasonstobecheerful.world/what-were-re...

‘Plastic Cup’ competitions are cleaning up rivers in Hungary — removing over 450 tons of plastic waste from the Danube and its tributaries. reasonstobecheerful.world/plastic-cup-...

Meet the intrepid e-bikers who are helping others to travel ecologically and give back along the way. reasonstobecheerful.world/solarpunk-re...

From specialized excursions to accessible trails, travel experiences are increasingly geared toward meeting a broader range of needs for travelers with disabilities. reasonstobecheerful.world/travel-disab...

Happy Friday! Wish this was a long weekend instead? Recognizing that many public holidays are pegged to Western and Christian traditions, some companies are taking a more inclusive approach to days off. reasonstobecheerful.world/floating-hol...

It’s Thursday, but should it actually be “Friday”? We know that employees love a 4-day workweek. Now, there’s more proof that the planet does, too. reasonstobecheerful.world/climate-acti...

On unique tours, blind and sighted guests climb mountains, salsa dance, sail and even skydive — all side by side, as equals. reasonstobecheerful.world/blind-and-si...

Traveling and exploring our beautiful planet isn’t always about jetting off to a new destination via planes. As a travel editor writes, when she decided to keep her feet on the ground, she saw the world in a whole new way. reasonstobecheerful.world/travel-edito...

🧵[1/2] RTBC is taking our annual summer publishing break this week! So, in celebration of breaks from work and summer travel season, we'll be sharing stories from our archives this week about restful solutions.

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read this stat’s story here: reasonstobecheerful.world/how-100-per-...

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read this stat’s story here: reasonstobecheerful.world/etteln-smart...

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read this stat’s story here: reasonstobecheerful.world/why-arkansas...

Welcome back to #StatsSunday — your statistical fix, pulled from this week’s stories. Read this stat’s story here: reasonstobecheerful.world/cruise-ships...

Seattle is poised to continue its democracy vouchers program, which provides each adult resident with four $25 vouchers they can donate to local candidates of their choice. reasonstobecheerful.world/how-100-per-...

Plugging cruise ships into shore power is no small feat. Many cruise ships run engines full time to power onboard generators for their electrical needs — burning endless gallons of fuel. From Seattle to Miami, ports are trying out shore power solutions: reasonstobecheerful.world/cruise-ships...