World's First Ethanol Ship Cuts Emissions by 90%
A Brazilian mining company just ordered the world's first ocean-going vessels powered by ethanol, slashing shipping emissions by up to 90%. The groundbreaking ships set sail in 2029.
Search
Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
99 results for "vale"
Giant Ships to Run on Ethanol, Cut Emissions by 90%
Brazilian mining company Vale just ordered the world's first massive ocean-going ships powered primarily by ethanol, slashing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. The innovative vessels combine biofuel technology with wind-assisted propulsion to chart a new course for cleaner shipping.
550 Volunteers Give 51,000 Hours to Desert Botanical Garden
Volunteers at Desert Botanical Garden contributed 51,480 hours in 2025, the equivalent of 25 full-time employees working year-round. Some dedicated volunteers have been showing up for more than 30 years.
Tampa Bay Drivers Ditch Gas for EVs Despite Lost Tax Credit
When gas prices hit $4.27 per gallon in Tampa Bay, drivers like Valerie Didonato discovered electric vehicles could save them hundreds monthly. Even without federal tax credits, the math is finally making sense for everyday commuters.
ALS Patient Becomes First in Study to Help Others Live Better
When Tim Evans was diagnosed with ALS on Valentine's Day 2014, he faced a choice: wait at home or use his remaining years to help others. He became the first volunteer in a Johns Hopkins study designed to improve quality of life for ALS patients.
200 Medieval Graves Unearthed in Southern France
Archaeologists in Valence, France just uncovered a stunning 1,400-year-old cemetery with over 200 graves and a lost Christian building. The discovery is rewriting what we know about medieval communities in southeastern France.
ALS Patient Volunteers for Study to Help Others Live Better
A man diagnosed with ALS on Valentine's Day 2014 chose to become the first volunteer in a Johns Hopkins study aimed at improving quality of life for others with the disease. Instead of waiting at home, Tim Evans is dedicating his remaining time to advancing research that could help thousands.
Police Recover 500-Year-Old Spanish Velvet Guild Manuscript
A priceless 17th-century manuscript that vanished from Valencia over 100 years ago just turned up in an online listing for €71,900. Spanish police spotted it during routine monitoring and reunited it with historians who thought it was lost forever.
Italian Skier Breaks Own Record at 154 MPH After 9 Years
Valentina Greggio just became the fastest woman ever on skis, reaching 154 mph and breaking her own world record she set nearly a decade ago. The Italian speed skiing legend's latest achievement adds to her unmatched career of 55 World Cup wins and six world titles.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F72%2F7b%2F727bef6f-59bd-44dc-a2e6-b1dcd8b15d16%2Fgettyimages-2261701300.jpeg)
China Opens World's Longest Outdoor Escalator System
A 3,000-foot escalator system now whisks pedestrians up the equivalent of an 80-story building in just 21 minutes in mountainous Wushan County. The "Goddess" escalator is transforming daily life in a region where extreme elevation once made simple commutes exhausting.
Cyclist Rides 2,377 Miles in 7 Days, Breaks World Record
A 28-year-old British cyclist just rode the equivalent of London to Istanbul in a single week, setting a new world record despite brutal weather that nearly ended his attempt. Alex McCormack averaged 18.5 hours in the saddle each day, pushing human endurance to its absolute limit.
Wind Farm Pays for Texas Seniors' Free Lunches and Dances
In tiny Ozona, Texas, wind turbines are funding daily hot meals, bingo nights, and Valentine's Day dances for seniors like 75-year-old Cynthia Flores. A creative tax deal turns clean energy into community care.
Riley Elementary Students Raise $100 for Hospital Patients
Eleven elementary students in Vincennes, Indiana turned Valentine's Day candy sales into life-changing support for hospital patients. The Riley Elementary Student Council donated $100 to their local infusion center and 20 books to newborn babies.
Netball Star Creates Period Shorts to Keep Girls in Sport
Australian netball star Kiera Austin has co-designed period-proof athletic shorts to tackle the alarming rate of teenage girls quitting sports. The innovation absorbs the equivalent of four pads and is already being worn in professional matches.
Australian Snowboarders Lambert and Guseli Claim World Cup Silver
Two Australian snowboarders just wrapped up their best seasons ever with podium finishes that launched them to second place in world rankings. Adam Lambert and Valentino Guseli proved the land down under can dominate winter sports.
Vale Students Visit 16 Workplaces to Spark Career Dreams
A simple field trip to a silica plant four years ago grew into a program connecting 160 middle schoolers with possible futures. One parent's email proved the idea was working better than any data could show.
5,000 Workers Earn More Using Low-Cost Electric Carts
A spice vendor in North India traded his bicycle for an electric cart and transformed his livelihood. Now 5,000 workers like him are earning better incomes while cutting carbon emissions equivalent to 1,000 cars.
Danville Program Graduates 102 Adults in Under 5 Years
A Virginia education program has helped 102 adults and at-risk teens earn their high school equivalency in just four and a half years. The initiative serves everyone from struggling teenagers to students in their 50s still chasing their diploma dreams.
Canadian Skier Wins Big at World Cup Finals in Norway
Valerie Grenier delivered a commanding performance to win the giant slalom at the World Cup Finals in Hafjell, Norway, marking her biggest victory of the season. Meanwhile, Mikaela Shiffrin secured her latest Overall World Cup title with a clutch final run.
Internet Detectives Crack 33-Year-Old Secret Valentine Code
A woman posted a cryptic Valentine's card she received in 1993, and hundreds of online puzzle enthusiasts jumped in to help crack the mysterious code. After decades of wondering, she may finally discover her secret admirer's identity.
Showing 20 of 99