Hey there, it’s Erica! Welcome to another edition of Feel Good News — here’s your weekly dose of uplifting stories.
1. Goodbye to the idea that solar panels “die” after 25 years: New Swiss study shows real-world performance after 3 decades still over 80%, average annual loss about 0.25%, thermal stress and quality key factors. Their long-term economics are better than many people assume
A new analysis suggests that solar panels can continue performing well beyond their typical 25-30 year warranty period. Researchers examined six solar arrays in Switzerland installed between 1987 and 1993, and found that most panels still produced over 80% of their original power after three decades. The key factors were temperature, with lower-altitude panels facing higher thermal stress and degrading faster, as well as the quality of the panel materials. This contrasts with earlier studies that found faster average decline. The findings are significant, as they suggest solar can provide long-term economic benefits for homeowners and contribute to reducing air pollution and associated public health impacts. The study highlights the importance of real-world, long-term data in understanding solar panel durability.
2. Steve Martin and Martin Short Pause Comedy Show to Honor Catherine O’Hara: ‘“Catherine O’Hara, I met when she was 18 years of age, and all these years later, she has been the greatest, most brilliant, kindest, sweetest angel that any of us worked with,” said Short alongside Martin.
Steve Martin and Martin Short paid tribute to the late Catherine O'Hara during their comedy show in Austin, Texas. They described O'Hara as the “greatest, most brilliant, kindest, sweetest angel” they had worked with over the years. The tribute came just hours after O'Hara’s death was announced on Friday. O'Hara was a longtime friend and collaborator of Short, and she had previously worked with Martin on the 1994 film “A Simple Twist of Fate”. Since her passing, many celebrities have shared heartfelt messages and tributes to the beloved actress, including her “Home Alone” co-star Macaulay Culkin and her “The Studio” co-star Seth Rogen, who described her as “hysterical, kind, intuitive, and generous”.
3. US judge allows last of five offshore wind projects halted by Trump to proceed
The Trump administration had halted the construction of five offshore wind projects in December 2025 due to national security concerns. However, a federal judge has now ruled that Denmark’s Ørsted can proceed with its Sunrise Wind project off the coast of New York. The judge found that the suspension of construction would cause irreparable harm to the project, as it could result in the loss of specialized vessels needed for installation. The ruling also applies to Ørsted’s Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island. While the construction freeze has been lifted, the offshore wind industry continues to face political risks under the Trump administration, which has been skeptical of wind power. The Sunrise Wind project is 45% complete and expected to start operating as soon as October, providing enough power for nearly 600,000 homes.
4. Bill Nye to Receive Lifetime Achievement Honor at the 4th Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards
Bill Nye, a renowned science educator, engineer, television presenter, inventor, and New York Times bestselling author, is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at the 4th Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. Nye is being honored for his outstanding contributions to science education, having inspired multiple generations of children through his TV shows, including “Bill Nye the Science Guy.” The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences also announced its 2026 Children’s & Family Gold Circle and Silver Circle Honor Society inductees, as well as the winners of Individual Achievement in Animation and Outstanding Public Service Initiative awards. The awards ceremony will take place in New York on March 1 and 2, 2023.
5. 111 child marriages prevented in Punjab in a year
In the past year, the Punjab government has successfully prevented 111 child marriages across the state. The minister for social security, women and child development, Baljit Kaur, provided district-wise details, with the highest number of cases prevented in Fazilka (18) and the lowest in Barnala, Hoshiarpur, Ropar, and Sangrur (one each). To strengthen the child marriage prevention framework, the state has appointed 2,076 child marriage prohibition officers, including child development project officers, and encourages citizens to report any suspected cases through the child helpline number 1098 or by contacting the nearest prohibition officer.
6. As the ozone layer heals, so too does public faith in science-led collaboration. It shows that collective decisions grounded in evidence can achieve measurable results within a single generation. Global environmental restoration is possible when nations commit to shared goals.
The healing of the ozone layer is one of humanity’s greatest environmental success stories. Once on the brink of irreversible damage, the ozone layer is now steadily recovering due to global action grounded in scientific evidence. The ozone layer shields life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and its depletion caused by chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) led to the creation of the Montreal Protocol in 1987. The treaty mandated the global phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, and as a result, the ozone layer is projected to return to pre-1980 levels by mid-century. This success demonstrates that science, political will, and shared responsibility can help reverse environmental harm. The healing of the ozone layer also highlights the importance of equity in environmental agreements, as the Montreal Protocol included flexible timelines and financial support for developing countries. The ozone layer’s recovery prevents millions of skin cancer cases and protects UV-sensitive ecosystems, offering hope that global environmental restoration is possible when nations commit to shared goals and remain dedicated to the course of action.
That’s it for last week :)
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