🌞 A hotel for seahorses

I’ve been off work for a little while, spending time with my family amid some challenging times. That said, there’s been one thing that I’ve looked forward to landing in my inbox every weekend: this newsletter.

It’s been the perfect antidote to tougher times and has served as an excellent reminder about all the good out there in the world.

Let’s get into today’s edition of The Good Newsletter ❤

Humans aren’t the only species to stay in hotels. That’s right, more than 1,200 seahorse babies were recently released to underwater ‘seahorse hotels’.

Designed by scientists, the hotels are protective artificial habitats made from metal that rusts away in the seawater. As the ‘hotel’ rusts away, the structure is overgrown by marine life, including sponges, coral, and algae.

They were decorated with biodegradable materials by more than 400 local school kids, who also helped build them.

Local MP Meryl Swanson said: “It’s wonderful to see so many of our young people interested in hands-on conservation, helping shape a future where our marine life can thrive.”

This seahorse population has declined recently because of flooding along Australia’s east coast. This is the largest release of seahorses ever undertaken in the world, and there’s more to come in Botany Bay, too!

If you’re in Sydney this weekend, you’ll appreciate this one… A tourist takes a moment during sudden rains at an ancient city in New Delhi, India. 📸: Sanchit Khanna via Getty Images

Some more nature news!

Aspen trees are having a resurgence in Yellowstone National Park in the U.S, thanks to an unexpected ally — gray wolves.

As gray wolf populations decreased, herbivore populations (like elks) increased. These herbivores would eat aspen saplings before they had a chance to grow.

In 1995, gray wolves were reintroduced. 30 years down the track, Aspen communities are growing.

According to a study, in 2020-21, 43% of aspen tree groves contained new small trees for the first time in decades! Aspen sapling density also increased more than 150x between 1998 and 2021.

Aspen trees have a vital role in habitat diversity because they support a range of plants and animals, including the North American beavers.

If your space is feeling a little... meh, James Lane might be exactly what you need

They’ve nailed the sweet spot between style, comfort, and price – with furniture that looks straight out of a Pinterest board, but doesn’t cost a fortune.

Whether you’re after a statement sofa, a dreamy bed, or just want to feel like a proper adult with matching furniture, James Lane has you covered. Their pieces are designed to last, feel good, and make your home look like you actually have your life together.

A new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) confirmed more than 90% of renewable projects commissioned in 2024 were “more cost-effective than any new fossil fuel alternatives.”

IRENA is an agency that works with governments across the world for energy transformation.

Its report said that in 2024, on average, solar panels were “41% cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternatives” and onshore wind projects were 53% cheaper.

What’s better than food?

Food prepared by grandmothers.

NYC restaurant Enoteca Maria has a rotating chef roster of actual grandmothers, or Nonnas as they’re fondly called. The founder, Jody Scaravella, started the initiative to share his own Italian grandmother’s culinary culture.

On their website, he writes: “At Enoteca Maria, several Italian grandmothers from different Italian regions cook their own menus on a rotating schedule.”

Now, Enoteca Maria has evolved and expanded to include grandmothers all around the world: Russia, Bangladesh, Peru, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Argentina and more!

Not heading to NYC any time soon? There’s still a way for Aussies to experience the Nonna magic, with a film about their story on Netflix.