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With everything that’s happened in 2020—the Covid-19 pandemic, the natural disasters, all the loss and fear—it’s easy to lose hope. But don’t despair! We’re so busy focusing on just the negative news that we’re ignoring the wholesome, heartwarming, and inspiring things happening around us each and every day.

Mauro Gatti, the founder of The Happy Broadcast, illustrates anxiety-free news from around the world and he’s bringing us the best things that happened in 2020 that will lift your spirits and make you believe in humankind again.

“This has been a rough year for the whole world but I’ve never seen so many great stories of human kindness like I’ve seen in 2020,” Mauro told Bored Panda. Read on for our full exclusive and in-depth interview with the Los Angeles-based artist about positive news, his hopes for 2021, and what he did to stay happy this year. Remember to upvote your fave optimistic stories as you scroll down, dear Pandas!

We’re huge fans of Mauro and his art style and we hope you are, too. Make sure to follow The Happy Broadcast on Instagram and elsewhere for all of the latest updates. And, when you’re done enjoying the positive news of 2020 in this list, check out Mauro’s other positive posts on Bored Panda right here, here, and here. They’re a dose of happiness that will leave you smiling all the way into 2021!

More info: InstagramBook

#1

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Dana
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is really cool, first I thought $170 was not that much, but it was in 1847, and with inflation that would be over $5,000 today!

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Wolfstar
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It should be all courtrooms. Reliving that experience is traumatizing and what's better than having a furry friend by your side?

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“Despite all the challenges, it looks like humanity understood how deeply we depend on each other and how much our mental health is central to everyone's recovery and well-being,” Mauro told us. “Sharing good news is a joyful experience for all and also an important part of daily conversations.”

Despite the fact that the news can be depressing to read and watch, Mauro still believes it has a very important function—reporting important problems and issues. When they get the spotlight shone on them, we can all come together and prevent these problems from happening again.

“But there is also so much good in this world that just needs to be found and promoted. Never forget that the reason why we have positive news to share is that some amazing and brave individuals did something to solve an issue that worries us all. So, one at a time, we can all make a positive impact. It's our time to BE the positive news,” Mauro said. 

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Just another user...
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's always struck me as weird when things like condoms are free in some countries, but period items aren't- you can't halt a period!!

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Sandra Westh
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well.. that's good news but how are they going to control and enforce this law?

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The illustrator revealed that the things that helped him get through the global pandemic and maintain his sanity were working on The Happy Broadcast, interacting with his community every single day, and… baking bread and pizza. Now, I couldn’t just ignore Mauro mentioning pizza. I just had to find out all about it. After all, there’s nothing like a tasty homemade treat (and some sleep) to make the world seem brighter.

“One of my favorite pizzas, besides the classic Italian Margherita, is pizza Bianca (which means no cheese and no sauce) topped, after being baked, with a cold mix of vegan feta, arugula, olive oil, salt, and fresh thyme. It’s very fresh and different from the usual pizza we eat at a restaurant, but I’m a creative person, so cooking is another avenue to express that,” Mauro said and now I’m itching to try baking something similar at home.

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Ivo H
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They did amazing work indeed! Now it's time for the rest of the human race to ensure this will not be needed again.

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The illustrator also went into detail about the daily routine that helps him stay on top of things. Every morning, he decides what to focus on and work toward that day. “Having a sense of purpose makes me feel less lost. I also try to not spend too much time on my phone scrolling through hundreds of posts and I turn my phone off before I go to bed.” And when he’s feeling blue, he puts on some songs that make him play the air-guitar and the air-drums, like ‘Gloria’ by ‘The Lumineers.’

Mauro’s illustrations are simple, fresh, and fun. He told us that this kind of art style comes naturally to him. “I've always loved doodling... especially things with cute faces because it's so relaxing, creative, and fun! I like the message more than the style, so I don’t spend a lot of time on an illustration. Most of my time is spent sketching all the ideas that float in my brain,” he said.

The illustrator stressed that his advice to young artists would be to focus on what they like to draw, instead of chasing after what’s trendy.

#11

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TheDemonUnderYourBed
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey! Phytoplankton don't get the credit they deserve! Phytoplankton actually produce a majority of the oxygen we breathe.

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We’re hoping that the following year will turn out to be very different from 2020. Mauro has similar hopes for 2021.

“My hope is that Covid-19 will not turn into Covid-21. We are now armed with knowledge, understanding, and hard lessons learned from this past year and I’m sure we’ll all come together to make sure 2021 will be less challenging and more focused on taking care of our planet and mental health,” he said.

As for his own plans, the artist told Bored Panda that his biggest personal project is still The Happy Broadcast. “I can’t even describe how much this little beacon of positivity means to me. Reading, illustrating, and sharing the work of the fixers, doers, and problem-solvers of the world showed me that the world is not the frightening place portrayed in the media.” And as someone who spends his days writing about the wholesome things in life, I can fully support Mauro’s message.

If you want to support Mauro and The Happy Broadcast, consider following him on Instagram and checking out his book as well!

#13

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Fly on the Wall
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, within a week of this announcement came another of an a polio outbreak in the Sudan caused by... the vaccine. Probably why the word 'wild' is included. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/sep/02/vaccine-derived-polio-spreads-in-africa-after-defeat-of-wild-virus

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Margaret Sinclair
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Japan have been doing this for decades. Forest bathing. Lots of amazing science behind it.

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#21

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Ivo H
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is great idea. The only concern could be the cleaning of these public places. We have one fruit tree near my apartment and no one is picking the fruit nor cleaning the rotting leftovers under the tree. Over the summer, every day we have at least 3 wasps at home, despite living in 6th floor. And that's only one single tree. So let's hope someone will think about this :)

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New Prometheus
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Animals have forever dealt with that problem. Mostly birds, and bugs whatever they leave behind.

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Just another user...
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not letting people starve AND encouraging healthy eating! You go Copenhagen!

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Karen Anderson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So pick and eat the fruit...or throw it out. Oh, and try closing a window. NATURE we are part of it - surprise - it's not the enemy.

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Marnie
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Dad had a crab apple tree out back. We never did anything with the apples. When I was little, we had a huge population of Hmong refugees in the area. Some Hmong kids discovered the tree and climbed up to pick. My Dad came out and they started yelling and ran away - thought they'd be in trouble. The next time my Dad spotted them in the tree, he managed to get the ladder there before they ran off. He put the old (but sturdy) ladder at the base of the tree, and left. Next time, they used the ladder. He was afraid they'd fall out and hurt themselves. (My uncle broke his femur falling out of a tree.) For many years, Hmong kids would come and gather those little apples out of the tree. Every year they would come. Made my Dad happy :-)

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Rez Fidel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is great.. imagine green areas in and around schools would be used for that.

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Jules G.
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a great idea and hopefully people will be encouraged to share! 😃

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moeless
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not free if "the city" meaning taxpayers are footing the bill.

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Bacony Cakes
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's free in the sense that you don't get bankrupted when you fall over and crack your skull.

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Dana
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is sad but good at the same time, it is sad that it took this long, but better late than never I guess

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#23

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Sandra Westh
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well we now know what it takes to have a successful sex life! Privacy thank you!

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#24

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Tiari
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not completely correct. You still have to buy them for home use, but you will have free ones in schools, authority offices and so on.

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Wolfstar
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's amazing! Just imagine some person is doing illegal stuff and then they hear a buzzing noise, so they look up and see a drone. The panic on their face...lol

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you are growing cannabis the last thing you want is bees. Pollination is the enemy of sensimilla. It causes the female plants to go to seed.

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#30

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Tiari
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Question is: what exactly happens to the plastic? Is it absorbed as nutrient, or do they s**t it out and add microplastic to the surroundings?

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#32

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K.
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Toni Doherty stripped her shirt off to rescue a koala. I’m surprised her chest could hold such a great, big heart. I just take off my shirt because there are cheeto stains. In all seriousness, all the people who fought the fires, helped the wildlife, help evacuate those who can’t on their own... I just wish good things for you.

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#34

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ProfessionalTimeWaster
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Earth has literally become greener than it was 20 yrs ago because of many tree-planting efforts taken by countries like India and China.

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#35

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Tor Rolf Strøm
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the other hand, WHO (yeah, that WHO) has allowed for Chinese (bullshit) medicine like horn powder etch. to count as real medicine! What a croc

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karla Meixnerová
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But I am a little bit afraid, that after everything will go back, people will return back to work and their "normal" life and they will find out, that they don't have time to take care for their animals...

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Dana
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he would have preferred cuddles, pets, and food! Awesome job ya little rat!

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#40

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lenka
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am really curious about whether this is actually good? Algae is one of the most efficient oxygen converters on the planet. How much algae do they need to harvest to make this shirt? How much oxygen would that algae have generated if it was left to live? Are they manufacturing the algae or harvesting it wild? What damage are they doing in the harvesting process? What is the net oxygen profit, after harvesting, processing and manufacturing the algea into a shirt from its original form? I get that we need to wear clothes and this is a really interesting development but it has the potential to cause more harm than good and I hope people ask these questions before simply accepting that its beneficial.

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