Momentous Weekly Highlights: Life-altering Landmark, and Additional Noteworthy Developments

In a significant move towards sustainability, Pope Francis ordered an overhaul of the Vatican's energy infrastructure in 2024, leading to the construction of the agrivoltaic facility. This innovative setup combines solar production with agriculture, making the Vatican the latest addition to the list of six countries—Albania, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Lesotho, Nepal, and Iceland—that are now powered exclusively by renewable energy. The Vatican has now transitioned to running entirely on solar energy.

In marine conservation news, Colombia announced a new marine protected area (MPA) in the Caribbean Sea, covering 3,800sq km. This MPA includes two remote coral reefs and was joined by similar announcements from Portugal and three other nations—Portugal, Colombia, and São Tomé and Príncipe—at the UN World Ocean Conference in Nice, France. Portugal's MPA covers the Gorringe Ridge in the Atlantic Ocean, bringing the country's total protected sea to 27%.

On the health front, a new blood test for Alzheimer's has shown promising results. According to a study, this test is 95% accurate at detecting people with early symptoms of the disease.

Brazil has seen a decrease in its homicide rate over the last decade, with a drop of 20.3%. This decrease is attributed to a truce between major criminal factions, an aging population, and improvements to public security.

Reforestation efforts are underway in various parts of the world, including the Eastern US, Western Canada, Brazil, Colombia, parts of Europe, and more. These efforts aim to identify suitable locations that could provide "win-win outcomes" for people and nature, adding up to 195m hectares of new forests.

The UK government has announced plans to repeal the Vagrancy Act, which criminalizes rough sleeping in England and Wales. This move is seen as a significant step towards addressing homelessness and preventing thousands of people from being pushed into the shadows. The Prince of Wales's Royal Foundation through its Homewards programme, along with frontline homelessness charities, have been campaigning against the Vagrancy Act for years.

On a positive note, Mozambique's wildlife has recovered to above pre-war numbers due to sustained conservation efforts, including protected corridors that straddle national borders.

In recognition of its work, Positive News won an award for its Developing Mental Wealth podcast series, which focuses on mental health solutions in the developing world. As an independent, not-for-profit media organization, Positive News relies on financial backing from its readers to continue its solutions journalism.

Lastly, the EU has ratified the global ocean treaty that seeks to protect 30% of international waters by 2030. This treaty is a significant step towards preserving our oceans for future generations.

These are just a few examples of the positive changes happening around the world. Each story is a testament to the power of collective action and the resilience of humanity.