Good news for your midweek
August 13, 2025
Hello dear Good News community,
This week brought strikingly different stories of conservation in action: global leaders in Zimbabwe pledged stronger protection for wetlands, Italy introduced tough new fines for littering, and a Viennese cemetery revealed its role as a quiet refuge for foxes, deer, and field hamsters. Together, they show how nature can be safeguarded on every scale — from international agreements to the hidden corners of a city.
Enjoy reading, Selina
(S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)Global pact to reverse wetland loss by 2034
Global leaders met in Zimbabwe for COP15 on Wetlands and agreed on stronger action to protect and restore these ecosystems. The Victoria Falls Declaration and 25 resolutions set targets to reverse wetland loss by 2034, protect migratory species, and involve Indigenous peoples, youth, and local communities. Source: MONGABAY
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Italy toughens penalties for illegal waste disposal
In Italy, anyone caught throwing litter from a car will soon face fines of up to €18,000. In protected areas, police will also be able to revoke the driver’s licence. The measure aims to free streets and natural landscapes from illegal dumping. Source: BLUEWIN
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Vienna central cemetery: a home for wildlife
At Vienna’s Central Cemetery, the dead rest in peace — but a closer look reveals life, too. Field hamsters, deer, foxes, and blue tits have made this place their new home. They enjoy the quiet, the green meadows, and the shady spots the trees provide. Source: DW
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Plastic sculpture challenges UN delegates to act on pollution
Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong’s six-metre sculpture, 'The Thinker’s Burden', confronts UN delegates in Geneva with the issue of plastic pollution. Constructed from waste that is added to daily, the sculpture symbolises the health risks posed by plastic pollution and the urgent need for action, as 184 countries negotiate a binding treaty to end it. Source: EURONEWS
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Community-led project revives endangered leopard sharks in Indonesia
In Indonesia's Raja Ampat, ReShark hatches surplus aquarium eggs and releases the pups into protected reefs. Since 2023, 39 sharks have been released, with the aim of releasing 50–75 each year. This community-led model is now expanding to Thailand and offers hope for reversing marine extinctions. Source: MONGABAY
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How to turn wasps into picnic allies
A simple trick can turn wasps from picnic pests into peaceful guests. By offering wasps a small portion of the food they take—placed a short distance from your own—you can keep them occupied and away from your plate. Early in summer, they prefer protein to feed larvae; later, they seek sugar as the colony winds down. Source: BBC
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Best regards,
Bianca Kriel & Selina Mahoche
