Good things about 2025
How has my 2025 been...not great. How has the worlds 2025 been...not great. However, as we prepare to give a big middle finger to 2025, here is my annual list of good things to have happened this year. As always, it is good to remember that there are ALWAYS good things happening in the world, they just don't tend to make it to the front page.
#1 - Hand transplant
In 2025 successful hand transplants became a thing! Including Luka Krizanac in the US who had a double hand transplant. Giving hope to the huge amounts of people suffering from limb loss across the world.
#2 - Ocean treaty
The High Seas Treaty came into force which means in 2026 international waters will be legally protected. This could help to combat biodiversity loss in the oceans as well as providing many people with more food security.
#3 - Plaid Cymru defeat reform
Seeing the rise of Reform in the UK is worrying considering that their leader, Nigel Farage, is known for lovely qualities such as anti semitic abuse towards his peers as a youngster, saying he would be open to privatising the NHS and admiring Putin amongst many other things. An EXTREMELY unpopular Labour government seems to be opening the door for him into power. However, Plaid Cymru showed there might be some hope for a battle against the far right by defeating Reform in the Caerphilly by election. Showing everyone that Welsh people don't like orange coloured racists that pretend to be down with the working class.
#4 - Cop 16 deal
The Cop 16 deal included many positive aspects going forward such as a roadmap to mobilise over 200 billion dollars by 2030 to help protect nature against the many dangers it is currently facing.
#5 - China's emissions reducing
People will often say what is the point of the UK trying to reduce their emissions when countries that Dwarf us, such as China, aren't making the same effort. And lets be honest, they kind of have a point. However, in 2025 China's CO2 emissions either flatlined or fell slightly (depending what you read) showing that they may be taking a step in the right direction.
#6 - Jake Paul and Andrew Tate both get beaten up in the same weekend
I'm not usually one for violence but let's be honest, seeing Tate's face when he took that uppercut was pretty bloody satisfying.
#7 - Cancer survival rates
Some cancer survival rates have improved so much that certain ones, such as myeloma, have almost doubled from previous years. Also, fuck cancer.
#8 - Gaza ceasefire
Yes, the Gaza ceasefire is shakier than your nan after her second glass of new years prosecco tonight and Israel are about as reliable as when your brother promises mum he is never going to hit you again. However, it does show some hope for the people of Gaza who have suffered horrifically this year.
#9 - Australia bans social media for teens
Who is happy that they grew up before social media was a thing? Yeah, me too. However, in a fantastic move towards giving children some of their childhood back, Australia banned social media for people under 16 on some platforms.
#10 - Ireland gives basic income to artists
There is a reason why the arts in Ireland are thriving, it's because they are being funded! Ireland has now agreed to permanently provide a basic income to some artists. My pick for current Irish artists will always be the novelist Sally Rooney who, in my opinion, is one of the greatest living writers.
