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Makers and Change-Bringers
83-Year old Teacher Beats Age, a Beautiful Lost and Found Story and more.
Charbel Zeaiter
December 23, 2024
Happy Monday from Sydney,
This is usually my Sunday edition, but I’ve been otherwise occupied with holiday season distractions 😀
China has completed a 3,046-kilometre (1,892-mile) sand-blocking forest strip along the Taklimakan Desert, its largest desert, often dubbed the "Sea of Death." And Montana’s highest court declared that the state constitution guarantees the right to a stable climate, overturning a law that blocked regulators from considering greenhouse gas impacts in fossil fuel permits.
May your reflections of 2024 be gentle and appreciative.
With love,
Charbel
Good Things Happening Around the World
Bushwalker Saves the Day: Lost for four days, 77-year-old Paul Kearns survived on puddle water before being rescued—a true Christmas miracle
Teacher Extraordinaire Still Going Strong: A 83-year-old teacher proves age is no barrier
Montana Youth Win Climate Battle
A Century of Rugged Adventure: It’s been 100 years since the first car conquered the Barrington Tops, now a beloved World Heritage-listed gem
China Builds a Wall of Green: China’s 3,046-kilometre “Great Green Wall” fights desertification, planting hope and billions of trees
More Good News
Words of Inspiration
Bushwalker Saves the Day:
Lost for four days, 77-year-old Paul Kearns survived on puddle water before being rescued—a true Christmas miracle
Paul Kearns, 77, was found alive after spending four gruelling days lost in Queensland's dense bushland.
His disappearance near Burrum Heads sparked a massive search effort, but it was a bushwalker on a casual morning stroll who ultimately found him near a fallen tree, dehydrated but alive.
Survival Against the Odds
With no food and only nature to rely on, Paul managed to stay alive by drinking rainwater and puddles.
Experts believe his resourcefulness and the wet weather played a crucial role in his survival. Rescuers described his endurance as nothing short of a “Christmas miracle.”
A Herculean Search Effort
The search involved over 70 personnel, including SES volunteers, police specialists, and soldiers from the Australian Defence Force.
Despite the challenging terrain and vehicles getting bogged, the team persisted. Paul was eventually carried three kilometres by stretcher to safety.
Family Relief and Gratitude
Paul’s nephew, Greg, expressed profound thanks to the search teams and the local community. Hundreds of volunteers and supporters rallied to help, and their collective effort ensured a positive outcome.
Why It’s Worth Smiling About
Paul’s rescue is a rare reminder that miracles can happen, even in the most challenging circumstances.
His survival showcases the resilience of the human spirit and the ingenuity needed to endure nature’s trials. Equally inspiring was the overwhelming community response—hundreds of locals joined forces with emergency services, proving the power of unity in times of need.
This story is not just about survival; it’s about hope, teamwork, and the strength found in collective effort.
Teacher Extraordinaire Still Going Strong:
A 83-year-old teacher proves age is no barrier
Denise Walker, now 83, began her schooling in 1947, progressing seamlessly from student to teacher. Her teaching career, which started in 1964 at Griffith High School, spans over six decades.
With stints across NSW regions, including Tamworth and Illawarra, she currently teaches casually at Wauchope High School on the Mid North Coast.
A Passion for Connection
Ms Walker believes that teaching is more than a job; it’s a calling. Her relationships with students, though occasionally challenging, have been the cornerstone of her enduring career.
Despite noting shifts in student behaviour, she finds joy in witnessing their growth and maturity over the years.
Breaking Barriers
In 1967, she became the first woman to earn a pilot’s licence at Griffith Aero Club, proving her love for challenges extended beyond teaching.
Known for her quirky fashion and vibrant personality, Ms Walker’s talents also include train driving, piano playing, and aerobatics.
Why It’s Worth Smiling About
Denise Walker’s story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. From shaping young minds to smashing gender barriers, her journey inspires optimism and reminds us that dedication can lead to a fulfilling, lifelong career.
Montana Youth Win Climate Battle
Montana’s highest court declared that the state constitution guarantees the right to a stable climate, overturning a law that blocked regulators from considering greenhouse gas impacts in fossil fuel permits.
Youth Activism Triumphs
Sixteen plaintiffs, aged 5 to 22, successfully argued that Montana’s pro-fossil fuel policies violated their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment.
This is the first US state supreme court ruling affirming climate stability as a constitutional right, setting a precedent for similar cases.
Why It’s Worth Smiling About
This ruling is a monumental win for young climate advocates, proving that persistence can bring about meaningful change.
It sends a hopeful message: even in the face of bureaucratic resistance, the fight for a sustainable future is not only possible but winnable.
A Century of Rugged Adventure:
It’s been 100 years since the first car conquered the Barrington Tops, now a beloved World Heritage-listed gem
In 1924, Henry Luke White and his team pioneered the first car journey to Barrington Tops, navigating a gruelling 17-mile path to Edwards Hut.
The journey required manual effort to push the car through challenging terrain, guided by surveyors’ markers and blazed trees.
Tourism Vision
Early campaigns aimed to transform the area into a health and tourism haven, akin to the Blue Mountains, spurring the creation of basic roads and facilities.
Edwards Hut Legacy
Built in 1905, the hut became a central hub for explorers, scientists, and travellers, though it was tragically destroyed by fire in 1929.
Today, Barrington Tops National Park is a World Heritage-listed gem, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually and contributing millions to the local economy.
Why It’s Worth Smiling About
Barrington Tops has evolved from an untamed wilderness to a cherished destination brimming with natural beauty and rich history.
It’s a reminder of humanity’s ability to connect with and preserve the wonders of nature while creating lasting memories for generations to come.
China Builds a Wall of Green:
3,046-kilometre “Great Green Wall” fights desertification, planting hope and billions of trees
China has completed a 3,046-kilometre (1,892-mile) sand-blocking forest strip along the Taklimakan Desert, its largest desert, often dubbed the "Sea of Death."
This achievement is a segment of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program initiated in 1978, aiming to curb desertification by 2050 with 100 billion trees planted across arid regions.
The forest acts as a natural barrier, mitigating sandstorms and protecting agricultural land from the desert's encroachment.
Desertification Crisis
Affecting over 27% of China’s land and 400 million citizens, desertification is exacerbated by climate change and human activities like deforestation and over-farming.
Worldwide Impact
Regions as far as Europe, including southern nations like Spain and Italy, face similar threats of aridification, highlighting the global relevance of tackling desert expansion.
Why It’s Worth Smiling About
Despite critiques, this project showcases China's proactive approach to combating one of the planet’s gravest ecological challenges.
The endeavour inspires global cooperation, proving that innovative strategies can address shared issues like desertification and climate resilience.
Even amid concerns, the sight of 100 billion trees standing tall offers hope for a world where humanity and nature find.
More Good News
Drowning Prevention Report: A global report shares low-tech solutions that reduced drowning deaths by 38% since 2000
California Solar Project: The Eland 1 solar and storage facility is operational, supporting jobs and local revenue, with phase two completing in 2025
AI Cameras for Safer Roads: A world-first AI camera detects drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, preventing accidents
James Patterson’s Holiday Bonuses: The bestselling author awarded $500 bonuses to 600 independent bookstore employees
Former Patagonia CEO aiding South American rewilding efforts
New initiative supporting homeless veterans in the U.S
Words of Inspiration
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science."
— Albert Einstein"The only way to deal with this life meaningfully is to find one's passion and follow it with all your heart."
— Søren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher"We are all different crayons in the box."
— Ruth Bader Ginsburg"The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper."
— W.B. Yeats
What I’m working on
 Velvet Onion & Friends We’re in the process of rebranding Velvet Onion & Friends. Why? It’s an important stage in our evolution, and deepens the link between agency, product & education. |  Faster Zebra We’re at the final stages of planning for our pilot program. Working name is “99 Problems But A Pitch Ain’t One;” cute for internal projects, not sure it’s the name. Coming soon! |
