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There was so much good that happened this year.

Not the overwhelming sentiment you feel right now? That’s fair. There were also a lot of terrible things that happened in 2025.

Those terrible things made plenty of headlines, but the good that happened... not so much. But it’s true: 2025 was not all bad.

Today, we’re looking back at some of the year’s best news and stories of progress for the environment, health, and the LGBTQ+ community.

This isn’t meant to discount the truly heartbreaking things that happened this year — but to reflect on the year with hope, too. So that as we enter the new year, we can continue to make progress and make more good news happen — because we’re gonna need it!

ENVIRONMENT

The Ocean Cleanup announced it can clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in five years

Also focused on preventing new plastic from reaching the ocean in the first place, the organization’s new-and-improved ocean cleanup technology now measures about 1.5 miles in length, and it cleans up an area of the ocean the size of a football field every five seconds.

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Firefighters successfully managed a 60-acre fire that could protect Rocky Mountain National Park area for the next decade

Experts say these kinds of fires create a buffer from an unwanted wildfire moving into nearby communities.

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Despite a lack of federal support, local governments took action to tackle climate change — and their efforts are working

As the Trump administration boosts fossil fuels and rolls back regulations, mayors are greening their cities — in more ways than one.

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An Indigenous-designed mural that doubles as a giant solar power generator broke a Guinness World Record

Combining public art and solar power, the SunRise Building, an apartment complex in Alberta, Canada became the title holder of the Guinness World Record for the largest solar panel mural on Earth.

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A new UN report found that solar energy is now 41% cheaper than fossil fuels: ‘The sun is rising on a clean energy age’

Two new United Nations reports found that renewable energy had officially reached a “positive tipping point” — a huge milestone in the clean energy transition.

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Boston became the first US city to plant green roofs on bus stops: ‘Would amount to 17 acres of green space’

Green roofs offset the heat-island effect in urban areas devoid of trees, provide direct shade at bus shelters, help reduce flooding, improve the biodiversity of native pollinators, and provide more beauty on a daily commute.

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Scientists developed a new ‘bamboo bioplastic’ that outperforms traditional plastic and breaks down in just 50 days

Made with fossil fuels, oil-based plastics not only have a large environmental footprint in their assembly, but also take decades — or even centuries — to decompose once thrown out.

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HEALTH

After enduring years of endometriosis pain, an engineer developed an app to help others like her

The Endo45 app aims to help women reduce pain, improve mood, navigate treatment, and more.

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A high-tech ‘healthcare phone booth’ provided street-side care to people experiencing homelessness

OnMed CareStations are a hybrid approach to healthcare for people in homeless and rural communities.

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The US approved a twice-yearly injection for HIV prevention

Lenacapavir is an injectable drug that offers long-lasting protection against HIV infection. Administered once every six months, this new treatment marks a major advancement in expanding prevention options for people at risk of HIV infection.

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Menstrual pads containing nanotechnology could help provide Pap-smear-free cervical cancer screening

Determined to make HPV and cervical cancer screenings less invasive, these researchers have turned to menstrual blood.

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A 9-year-old with terminal stage 4 cancer was given an early screening of ‘Wicked: For Good’: ‘Checking off her bucket list’

“I hope that this film has made you believe you can fly,” Cynthia Erivo told Brielle Bird, who heartbreakingly passed away on December 11.

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LEGO donated MRI scanner toys to children in hospitals, and research found they really reduce anxiety

New data shows that doctors were 46% less likely to need to sedate patients after they played with the toys.

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$11 billion in unopened medicing goes to waste every year — a nonprofit is getting them to people who need them most.

The nonprofit Sirum repurposes unused prescriptions to expand affordable healthcare access and push for price transparency nationwide.

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LGBTQ+

A federal judge blocked Texas A&M’s drag ban so its annual ‘Draggieland’ pageant could go on as planned

The students said that while their fight isn’t over, they were overjoyed by the decision and vowed to share that joy by putting on the best show possible.

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Activists unfurled the ‘largest ever’ trans pride flag at Yosemite National Park

The 55-by-35-foot flag was hung by the group “Trans Is Natural,” a coalition of LGBTQ+ and ally climbers, in response to the Trump administration’s actions against transgender individuals.

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A farmer rescued ‘gay sheep’ and sells their wool to support LGBTQ+ charities

Roughly 10% of all male sheep exhibit homosexual tendencies. On a farm, rams that don’t mate with female sheep are considered useless and often end up in slaughterhouses — shepherd Michael Stücke prevents that.

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A drag queen named Pattie Gonia raised $1M for charity by hiking 100 miles in full drag

The funds will support eight nonprofits focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors.

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Florida banned Pride crosswalks — so the city of St. Pete installed rainbow bike racks instead

The city cleverly asserted its support of LGBTQ+ community members while still complying with new state regulations.

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A trans vs. cisgender rugby match was held to protest athlete bans through friendly competition: ‘We want you on our team’

The “Ruck You” match was organized by pro rugby player Sasha Acheson, who wanted to protest World Rugby's decision to ban trans women from competition.

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LGBTQ+ advocates sold ‘petty’ Pride merch to protest Utah’s flag ban and support community members

Leaders and LGBTQ+ communities alike have come together to creatively protest the law, including Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, who introduced three new “official” city flags that incorporate the existing Salt Lake City flag design into new iterations for LGBTQ+ pride, trans pride, and Juneteenth.

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