Hey fam,
For the first and only time it was September, 2026.
I always like to end the month with a little reflection on how things went. Typically, we tend to remember a lot of the bad things that happened. But as always, I’m here to remind you that plenty of good things happened too.
So I took a look back and picked 10 of my favorites stories that deserve to be read one more time.
🛠️ 10: A Right to Repair law started in Texas, forcing companies that sell in the state to provide parts and instructions to repair our own tech.
Right to Repair is one of those laws that feels like common sense when you hear about it. If we buy something, we own it, and we should be able to repair a piece of it instead of fully replacing the whole thing… right? If you’re Texas, the answer is yes! Hopefully more places quickly follow suit, and we can massively reduce e-waste while improving the longevity of our possessions.
🐈 9: The first newly discovered cat species in 100 years was found in Bolivia and named Tilcayo after the local community’s name for it.
I’m always keeping an eye out for new species discoveries, and this one got a lot more attention than most, probably because people really love cats. (As do I, despite being allergic to them). I had a few comments on social media asking me how it could be “new” if the local community already had a name for it, which is a great question! When a species is newly discovered, it tends to mean that it’s new to science. This cat did not spring up out of nowhere, but researchers now realized it was a separate species from its relatives, and so it’s officially described in a scientific paper.
🥗 8: A free lunch program was expanded in England which should lift 100,000 children out of poverty.
They explained that this program is an expansion of one that is already helping an impressive 2.2 million disadvantaged children, and reflects a clear reality that no child should have to go hungry, regardless of their circumstances. I know I would love to see this in every nation in the world, and it would be a great policy to advocate for in your area.
🌅 7: Indigenous Protected Areas now account for over half of Australia’s protected lands.
This story was a cool one and definitely worth a read. In it they discuss the way that Traditional Owners are voluntarily stewarding land all over Australia to protect nature, culture, and traditions. The Indigenous leadership allows them to use knowledge passed down for many generations to care for the land in ways that other agencies wouldn’t be able to. Let’s continue this Land Back trend, please!
☀️ 6: Plug-in balcony solar was passed in California which is just awaiting final signature to make them the 11th state to legalize.
Plug-in balcony (or backyard) solar is similar to rooftop solar, but less powerful and can therefore be plugged into a standard wall outlet. It doesn’t need the same level of overview or permitting, and is really easy to scale up. Germany already has this in over 1 million homes, and it’s great to see more and more places around the US following their lead.
🛣️ 5: The largest wildlife crossing in North America located in Colorado reduced collisions between cars and animals by 91%.
Wildlife crossings are a very clear win-win. They protect drivers from dangerous and costly crashes, while also protecting animals from these same crashes that often cost them their lives. In addition to fencing that directs them to the crossings, these can be incredibly effective, and continue to expand around the world.
👀 4: Seattle became the first US city to ban surveillance pricing on groceries, meaning personal data can no longer impact prices.
We’ve probably all experienced surveillance pricing without realizing it… where companies use your data to influence prices online. Ever search for a flight that suddenly goes up in price, and maybe it’s a different price than what a friend sees from somewhere else in the world? This predatory practice is especially evil when it comes to groceries, something we all need to survive. Thankfully, Seattle is ending it.
🦏 3: The greater one-horned rhino population hit 4,075, along with an 86% decline in poaching thanks to conservationists in Assam, India.
Another reminder that conservationists are true heroes! The majority of these animals are located in Assam and protected by India and Nepal. But poaching doesn’t just disappear on its own. It decreases thanks to brave people putting their safety on the line to protect a fellow species, apprehending poachers and stopping them before they can inflict damage. Huge shout out to these inspiring people, and let’s keep the population growing!
🐟 2: The newest Klamath river update shows salmon populations bouncing back even faster than expected with a 72% increase in a year following the dam removals.
If you don’t remember, the Klamath river dam removal was a very popular and hopeful story. It took over a century to return this river to its free flowing state, and the wildlife are really benefitting. Experts knew that removing the dams would help native species return to the area and enjoy their ancestral breeding grounds once again, but their populations bouncing back even faster than expected makes me excited for more conservation wins like this, so long as we keep the pressure up for positive change.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 1: our community took action by releasing 1500 native ladybugs, gave their 37th donation to the Red Cross, served 2500 meals to unhoused folks so far this year, and much more…
Which leaves us with just one question: what about you?
Let us know your highlight from September, and what you plan to do in October.
And remember that we build a better future together! Send this breath of fresh air to someone you love, and see you next week for more.
Talk soon,
Jacob
This newsletter was written by Jacob Simon. Over 1.5 million people are in our community across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. You can say hi on LinkedIn, or by hitting reply. Brand illustration by Andrea Miralles. Thanks for helping spread some positivity, and see you next week for more.
I love this reminder that progress can be easy to overlook when we’re focused on what still needs to be done. Looking back can show us how much has actually changed
Thanks for this terrific roundup of positivity! I especially enjoyed the wildlife crossing story-as a Coloradan, makes me proud.