Sunny Side Up: Your Monthly Dose of Happy News – Edition 9
Welcome back to another edition of Sunny Side Up! We’re rounding up February’s brightest stories to bring a little sunshine to your day.
From underwater art installations that nurture marine life to the reintroduction of beavers into the wild, this month’s edition is packed with inspiring news from around the globe.
Let’s dive in.
Ocean Gaia, art beneath the waves
British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor is renowned for his groundbreaking work in underwater sculpture and artificial reef design.
His latest creation, Ocean Gaia, sits off the coast of Tokunoshima, marking Japan’s first underwater sculpture. The piece features a portrait of model Kiko Mizuhara and has been carefully designed to function as a living reef.
With thoughtfully placed perforations that provide shelter for marine life, the sculpture encourages coral growth and biodiversity. More than just an artwork, it symbolises the ocean as a maternal and healing force.
Read more here.
Inspired by marine life, inventors have created a filter to trap microplastics leaked during laundry
Did you know a single synthetic garment can release up to 1.5 million microfibres in just one wash cycle?
Inspired by the cone-shaped mouths of manta rays, a trio of young inventors have developed an innovative solution. Their patented Vortx filter traps microplastics in tiny vortices before funnelling them into a disposable pod.
The team says the technology is up to 300% more effective than traditional filters, offering a promising step forward in reducing microplastic pollution.
Read more here.
M&S and YoungMinds’ hit a major milestone in their work to support young people’s mental health
Retailer Marks & Spencer and youth mental health charity YoungMinds have reached a major milestone in their partnership.
Together, they’ve surpassed their £5 million fundraising target, a full year ahead of schedule. The funds will help power vital services for young people, parents and carers across the UK.
Now, they’re setting their sights even higher, with a new goal of raising £1.5 million over the next year. That funding could sustain YoungMinds’ support services for an entire year, ensuring more families receive the help they need.
Read more here.
Beavers released in Somerset to help restore river and wetland
Beavers play a remarkable role in restoring ecosystems. By building dams, they slow water flow, create thriving wetland habitats, reduce erosion and even improve water quality.
In a significant conservation step, beavers have now been legally released at two sites in Somerset as part of efforts to restore local rivers and wetlands.
It’s a hopeful example of how reintroducing native species can help rebalance natural systems and strengthen climate resilience.
Read more here.
Until next time...
That’s all for this month’s dose of good news. We’ll be back next month with more positive news stories. Until then, stay sunny. ☀️