Solomon Islands Ditches Diesel for First Solar Farm
A Pacific island nation that relies on diesel for 98% of its power is building its first major solar farm. The Solomon Islands is betting on sunshine to escape fuel shortages and price swings.
Search
Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
4636 results for "san juan island"
Coyote Swims to Alcatraz Island for First Time Ever
A brave coyote made history by swimming through the treacherous waters of San Francisco Bay to reach Alcatraz Island, stunning wildlife experts who've never seen anything like it. The exhausted animal's daring journey shows just how adaptable these clever creatures have become.
NASCAR Races Through San Diego Naval Base This Weekend
NASCAR is bringing stock car racing to a military base for the first time ever, creating a stunning 3.4-mile street course on San Diego's Coronado Island with an aircraft carrier as the backdrop. The historic race shows how NASCAR is boldly reinventing itself to reach new fans in America's biggest cities.
Solomon Islands Shifts Direction, Bans Dolphin Trade
The Solomon Islands just elected a new prime minister who brings a fresh approach to foreign relations and animal welfare. In his first major move, he's ending the controversial dolphin trade.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F23%2F1f%2F231f084b-5f01-4ff1-bd35-e430fcf3c20c%2F22soloman_siren_by_jason_decaires_taylor_sculpture.jpg)
Pacific Island Lost to Seas Gets Underwater Memorial
A sculpture honoring a vanished island in the Solomon Islands will transform into a living reef, celebrating a climate activist while warning the world about rising seas. Artist Jason deCaires Taylor installed the piece where Kale Island disappeared a decade ago.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F22%2Fd1%2F22d1d559-2c1f-4580-a3d7-eb3872519fc5%2Fhospital.jpg)
Ellis Island Hospital Restoration Preserves Immigration Stories
A nonprofit is working to preserve Ellis Island's abandoned 29-building hospital complex, where immigrant families faced medical challenges 75 years ago. The restoration will reveal intimate stories of resilience and hope that shaped America.
Mauritius Launches Solar Marketplace for Island Nations
Mauritius just unveiled a groundbreaking digital platform that helps small island nations attract funding for solar projects, starting with 220 MW of its own renewable energy. The World Bank-backed marketplace could transform how vulnerable island states access clean energy investments.
Australia Keeps Cocos Islands Home After Community Wins
The Australian government reversed plans to relocate 600 residents from the remote Cocos Islands after passionate community pushback. Now islanders will help shape their own climate future.
Coyote Swam 2 Miles to Alcatraz, DNA Test Reveals
A coyote that captured hearts by swimming to Alcatraz Island in January actually traveled twice as far as scientists first thought. New DNA evidence shows the adventurous canid swam two miles from Angel Island, not from nearby San Francisco.
UNESCO Partners With China to Help Island Nations Thrive
Small island nations facing climate threats just gained powerful new allies in satellite technology and ocean science. UNESCO's new partnerships will give vulnerable island states the data and expertise they desperately need to protect their futures.
Fiji Island Made Entirely of Ancient Shellfish Waste
Scientists discovered a small Fiji island built completely from shellfish discarded by human settlers over 1,000 years ago. The unique "midden island" reveals how ancient communities shaped their landscape in ways still visible today.
Mexico Scientists Race to Protect Island's Rare Wildlife
When researchers spotted an endangered ocelot on Cozumel Island in 2016, they faced an unexpected challenge: the wildcat threatened species found nowhere else on Earth. Scientists are now working to protect the island's unique animals while monitoring this beautiful but risky newcomer.
Remote Island Seeks Volunteers for Rent-Free Paradise Life
A tropical island off Queensland's coast needs volunteer caretakers to maintain its paradise in exchange for rent-free living. Two current residents share what it's really like to live self-sufficiently on Middle Percy Island.
U.S. and Australia Pledge $580M to Pacific Island Nations
The United States and Australia just committed $580 million to support Pacific island communities facing energy crises and security challenges. The funding marks a major investment in helping small island nations build resilience and stability.
Island Declared Ferret Free in World-First Conservation Win
Rathlin Island off Northern Ireland's coast just became the first inhabited island in the world to successfully eliminate invasive ferrets, saving 250,000 seabirds from extinction. Puffins, razorbills, and other species are already showing signs of recovery after decades of devastating predator attacks.
Rhode Island Bill Puts Librarians in Every Public School
Rhode Island lawmakers are backing legislation to put certified librarians in every public school after research showed they boost reading scores and student success. The Save Our Rhode Island School Libraries Act would ensure every student gets daily library access and professional support.
50+ Volunteers Rebuild Storm-Hit Island House in One Day
When 95mph winds tore the roof off Lihou Island's only house, over 50 volunteers raced across the causeway to help rebuild it in a single weekend. The tiny Guernsey island, cherished by generations of schoolchildren and families, is back in business thanks to neighbors who couldn't stand to see it damaged.
UK Commits £14M to Help Pacific Islands Fight Climate Crisis
The UK is investing £14 million to help Pacific Island nations build resilience against rising seas and extreme storms. The funding supports locally led solutions in Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, and other vulnerable island communities.
UT San Antonio Becomes Texas's 3rd Largest Research University
A major university merger in San Antonio just created a powerhouse combining education, medical research, and economic development under one roof. With 43,000 students and a new research hospital, UT San Antonio is tackling the city's biggest challenges in healthcare, jobs, and opportunity.
Pacific Islands Cut Fish Microplastic Rates to Just 5%
While one-third of Pacific fish contain microplastics, new research reveals some island nations have cracked the code on keeping their waters clean. Vanuatu's fish show just 5% contamination, proving remote islands can protect their ocean food supply.
Showing 20 of 4636