Inspirational and good news.
A group of people, LIFT, have created something really keen – sandals that seed.
The Johnny Apple Sandal has seeds in it that are distributed when you walk around. Like all sandals the sole wears thin, but contained within the soles of the Apple Sandal are the seeds.
The seeds inside of the sandal grow plants that break down harmful things in the environment.
The government of Brazil launched a disarmament campaign in 2004 that pays compensation to those who turn in their weapons. No questions were asked where/how they got their weapons. At one point someone handed in a high-calibre machine gun that could shoot down planes.
As a result of this campaign there have been fewer deaths as a result of gun violence. Gun deaths have fallen by more than 8% in 2004, the first time the death rate has fallen in 13 years. 443, 700 guns have been collected.
We have more good news than we know what to do with!
The Great News section has been updated for August. Check it out, a lot of good stuff happened.
A small trip down memory lane…
Tension between Pakistan and India comes and goes, but there is always an underlying animosity. Currently the countries have an informal policy of notifying each other before testing missiles, but now they plan to make that official.
Any form of cooperation between the two Asian nations is a good step towards permanent peace and stability in the region. Currently they are working on having more agreements, including more bus routes.
A library in Holland is now loaning out volunteers so users of the library can chat with them. The people who have volunteered include homosexuals, drug addicts, asylum seekers, gipsies and the physically handicapped.
Borrowers can take the volunteer to the cafe and sit down and talk. The idea is that this program will break down social barriers and create a more understanding society. Borrowing people to fight prejudice apparently started in Sweden.