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Read yourself happy: an Upside newslist for difficult times Read yourself happy: an Upside newslist for difficult times
(about 4 hours later)
This week, the Upside confronts Covid 19 pessimism with a long list of things that are going wellThis week, the Upside confronts Covid 19 pessimism with a long list of things that are going well
It’s the time of year for comfort reading. The equinox has come and gone, there’s more night than day now in the northern hemisphere, there’s a nip in the air, leaves on the ground, and the UK and parts of Europe look headed for another lengthy period of retrenchment as the Covid-19 pandemic resurges.It’s the time of year for comfort reading. The equinox has come and gone, there’s more night than day now in the northern hemisphere, there’s a nip in the air, leaves on the ground, and the UK and parts of Europe look headed for another lengthy period of retrenchment as the Covid-19 pandemic resurges.
But fear not, because the Upside will not be cowed by a pesky strand of RNA. The human spirit is infinitely stronger than the body. Whether things are “good” or “bad” merely depends on how you think, who you listen to, what you read.But fear not, because the Upside will not be cowed by a pesky strand of RNA. The human spirit is infinitely stronger than the body. Whether things are “good” or “bad” merely depends on how you think, who you listen to, what you read.
So this week, we have the following Upside gems for you:So this week, we have the following Upside gems for you:
• Norway’s friluftsliv: an answer to surviving new Covid restrictions? Three minutes of fresh air• Norway’s friluftsliv: an answer to surviving new Covid restrictions? Three minutes of fresh air
• More than 150 countries agree vaccine distribution deal. Two-minute read• More than 150 countries agree vaccine distribution deal. Two-minute read
• The dogs that can detect coronavirus. Four-minute sniff• The dogs that can detect coronavirus. Four-minute sniff
• The African dance craze bringing joy to a troubled world. Two-minute jig• The African dance craze bringing joy to a troubled world. Two-minute jig
• The Britons who work from home – abroad. Three-minute read• The Britons who work from home – abroad. Three-minute read
• Hutting: a new way of life for Scotland? Two-minute read• Hutting: a new way of life for Scotland? Two-minute read
• A new British foundation for public interest journalism. 90-second read• A new British foundation for public interest journalism. 90-second read
• Aquatherapy: a community rebuilds after the fire. Three-minute read• Aquatherapy: a community rebuilds after the fire. Three-minute read
I’d be interested to know this: if you read one or more of the above, did they make you feel better, more even-tempered, a bit more sanguine about the future – or just as anxious as ever? Do let us know in the usual fashion.I’d be interested to know this: if you read one or more of the above, did they make you feel better, more even-tempered, a bit more sanguine about the future – or just as anxious as ever? Do let us know in the usual fashion.
Lucky numbersLucky numbers
China’s carbon emissions will peak in the next decade, and reach net zero by 2060, according to Xi Jinping. Oh, and the cost of battery packs for electric vehicles has fallen more than 80% over the past decade.China’s carbon emissions will peak in the next decade, and reach net zero by 2060, according to Xi Jinping. Oh, and the cost of battery packs for electric vehicles has fallen more than 80% over the past decade.
Meanwhile, several US states are starting to see bee colonies grow. In Maine, numbers are up more than 70% over the past two years. Aren’t bees just great?Meanwhile, several US states are starting to see bee colonies grow. In Maine, numbers are up more than 70% over the past two years. Aren’t bees just great?
What we likedWhat we liked
From the Reasons to be Cheerful project that the Upside is participating in, we read to the bottom of this piece about a man turning his life around after 13 years in a US prison …From the Reasons to be Cheerful project that the Upside is participating in, we read to the bottom of this piece about a man turning his life around after 13 years in a US prison …
… and also this, about the Congolese of New York, using theatre to put aside festering tribal enmities.… and also this, about the Congolese of New York, using theatre to put aside festering tribal enmities.
Elsewhere, we are mildly intrigued at Nasa’s plans to return to the moon by 2024 – and this time there will be a woman taking a giant leap for womankind …Elsewhere, we are mildly intrigued at Nasa’s plans to return to the moon by 2024 – and this time there will be a woman taking a giant leap for womankind …
And finally, we were hugely encouraged by a new study that found older people are physically and mentally stronger than their counterparts from 30 years ago.And finally, we were hugely encouraged by a new study that found older people are physically and mentally stronger than their counterparts from 30 years ago.
What we heardWhat we heard
Johnny Hughes was in touch from Dublin on the subject of instilling greater carbon awareness in people.Johnny Hughes was in touch from Dublin on the subject of instilling greater carbon awareness in people.
Remarkably, Johnny, I think these apps already exist. Getting people to use them might be harder …Remarkably, Johnny, I think these apps already exist. Getting people to use them might be harder …
Where was the Upside?Where was the Upside?
On a knitted bus, of all places, which is touring the streets of the UK to combat loneliness among the elderly. The vehicle, dressed in knitwear produced all round the country, will tour care homes and residential streets, delivering magazines and, er, knitted bunting, and raising funds for anti-loneliness charity Re-engage. We say that’s quilt fantastitch.On a knitted bus, of all places, which is touring the streets of the UK to combat loneliness among the elderly. The vehicle, dressed in knitwear produced all round the country, will tour care homes and residential streets, delivering magazines and, er, knitted bunting, and raising funds for anti-loneliness charity Re-engage. We say that’s quilt fantastitch.
That’s all for now. Have a great weekend. And if you don’t already, get this newsletter emailed to your inbox every week. That’s all for now. Send us optimistic articles that you have spotted around the world. And if you don’t already, get this newsletter emailed to your inbox every week.