Welcome back to our weekly behind-the-scenes glimpse at what’s getting our team talking. Let us know what you think at info@reasonstobecheerful.world. Money talks Here at RTBC, we’ve reported several times on basic income, including in a story by our founder, David Byrne, about Stockton, California. The key takeaway: It works. This week, Executive Editor Will Doig shared another prime example from the Colorado Sun about an experiment in which homeless people in Denver were given no-strings-attached cash. Will says:   More evidence that giving unhoused folks a relatively small amount of money can have an enormous impact. All that prevents this proven solution from spreading is public support and political will. Waste not Plastic pollution has had a big impact on the small nation of Vanuatu, forming trash islands in once-picturesque turquoise lagoons. In 2018, the government acted decisively: It prohibited the sale and distribution of some kinds of single-use plastics, making Vanuatu one of the first countries anywhere to do so. The results, as we learned from a story shared by Contributing Editor Michaela Haas from The Guardian, have been impressive. Erakor Island, near Port Vila in Vanuatu. Credit: Martin Valigursky / Shutterstock Michaela says:   This is a fantastic story, and what I love most about it is that it literally started with one person making a difference. What else we’re reading It’s the world’s first Indigenous-led ‘blue park.’ And Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation pulled it off without waiting on Canada — shared Founding Editor Christine McLaren from The Narwhal The Iberian lynx is back from the brink of extinction, thanks to conservation efforts — shared by Contributing Editor Michaela Haas from AP News Reaching the Light of Day — shared by Editorial Director Rebecca Worby from Orion Magazine In other news… French country bistros are more than just charming places to have a bite to eat — they’re often vital social hubs, the glue that holds rural communities together. That’s why, according to a Smithsonian Magazine story that RTBC contributing writer MaryLou Costa sent along this week, a growing movement is campaigning for their recognition on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. “I love this article about a movement to save France’s dying bistros, which are a lifeline for its small villages, where it’s often the only business and will double as a post office and store,” MaryLou says. The post What We’re Reading: Free Money, Cleaner Lagoons and More appeared first on Reasons to be Cheerful.